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•Vigilance commander, 2 operatives among dead
From Sola Ojo, Abuja
At least five persons, including three members of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVS), have been killed in separate attacks by suspected bandits in Kaduna State.
While three vigilance personnel, including the deputy commander of KADVS in Zuntu, Kubau Local Government Area, were killed during a gun duel with the attackers, two residents were also shot dead and two others abducted in Agunu community, Kachia Local Government Area.
The Zuntu attack occurred on Sunday night when armed men reportedly opened fire on vigilance personnel operating in the Kubau axis.
A KADVS source told Daily Sun that personnel had intensified surveillance around strategic checkpoints used to intercept suspected criminals following growing security concerns in the area.
According to the source, vigilance personnel had recently intercepted a suspected criminal allegedly transporting Indian hemp and ammunition at one of the checkpoints.
He said the operatives became suspicious when a vehicle approached their position on Sunday night, adding that its occupants allegedly opened the vehicle doors and started shooting at the vigilance personnel.
The vigilantes reportedly returned fire, resulting in a gun battle during which three of the personnel, including the deputy commander in Zuntu, were killed.
The source said the attack underscored the risks faced by local security personnel confronting heavily armed criminal groups, but insisted that KADVS would not abandon its operations in the area.
He said the state government was taking steps to improve the operational capacity and welfare of the vigilance service, including plans for personnel to begin receiving the N72,000 new minimum wage before the end of the month.
The service, according to him, has also completed an armoury for the secure storage of weapons and ammunition as it expands operations in vulnerable communities.
Kubau has witnessed a number of security operations involving KADVS and other security agencies in recent months.
In June, vigilance personnel reportedly arrested suspected bandits along the Ikara-Zuntu route.
In another operation, eight suspected armed bandits were reportedly apprehended during midnight surveillance in the area.
Meanwhile, residents of Agunu community were thrown into mourning following another attack in the early hours of Monday.
Community sources said gunmen invaded the area, killed two residents and abducted two others before fleeing the community.
“We woke to the shocking killing of two of our people and the abduction of two others.
“These are harmless Nigerians. We appeal to the Federal and state governments, as well as security agencies, to come to the rescue of our people in Kachia and Kajuru local government areas,” a community source said.
Residents urged the authorities to urgently reinforce security personnel in the affected communities to prevent further attacks and restore confidence among the people.
