By Deborah Nnamdi
Gunmen have abducted the Deputy Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Muhammed Samaila Bagudo, in Bagudu town, Bagudu Local Government Area of the state.
The assailants, suspected to be bandits, reportedly invaded the town on Friday night, shooting sporadically before whisking away the lawmaker. He was said to have been seized shortly after observing prayers at a local mosque and was heading home when the attackers struck.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Government, Ahmed Idris, confirmed the abduction.
Spokesperson for the Kebbi State Police Command, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, also confirmed the incident in a statement, explaining that the gunmen, armed with sophisticated weapons, abducted the deputy speaker at gunpoint and took him to an unknown destination.
Abubakar said the state Commissioner of Police, Bello Sani, had set up a joint search-and-rescue team comprising the Police, Army, and local vigilantes to ensure Bagudo’s safe release.
“In view of the unfortunate incident, we have formed a strong rescue team, and they are already combing bushes and forests to rescue him unhurt,” he said.
The Police urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring that security agencies were on top of the situation and committed to safeguarding lives and property in the state.
