Bandits kill KADVS personnel, abduct Kaduna lawmaker’s brother

Three personnel of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service, KADVS, have been killed by suspected bandits in Kubau Local Government Area, while the younger brother of a state lawmaker was abducted in a separate attack hours later.

The incidents occurred on Monday night, according to KADVS Public Relations Officer, Yunusa Ibrahim, who confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday.

The abducted victim, identified simply as Sanusi, is the younger brother of Shehu Pambegua, the lawmaker representing Kubau Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

Ibrahim said suspected bandits arrived at Sanusi’s residence in a Sharon vehicle at about 10pm and forcibly took him away.

Before the abduction, three KADVS operatives had been killed during a security operation along the Zaria-Pambegua axis.

The victims were Dallami Dantani, Second-in-Command of KADVS in Kubau, Abdullahi Hamisu and Zakariyya Musa.

According to Ibrahim, the operatives were conducting routine checks when they attempted to stop a red Volkswagen Golf Salon whose driver allegedly refused to pull over.

The vigilantes reportedly pursued the vehicle in an official patrol van in an attempt to establish the identities and intentions of its occupants.

The suspects allegedly opened fire on the pursuing operatives, killing Dantani during the chase.

They later turned back towards the KADVS office, where Hamisu and Musa were reportedly shot dead before the attackers fled towards Zaria.

Following the attacks, KADVS Commander in Kaduna State, CP Ali Audu (rtd.), expressed condolences to the families of the deceased personnel.

Audu described the deaths as a painful loss to the service and commended the operatives for their courage and commitment to duty.

He assured the families that the sacrifices of the deceased would not be forgotten and pledged continued support to them.

The commander said security personnel had increased surveillance around Pambegua and neighbouring communities as efforts continued to rescue Sanusi and track down those responsible for the attacks.

He also directed KADVS personnel to remain vigilant and deepen collaboration with other security agencies to safeguard residents, particularly in communities considered vulnerable to attacks.

Audu reaffirmed the service’s commitment to protecting lives and property across Kaduna State.