The Kebbi State Police Command has confirmed that the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Muhammed Samaila Bagudo, has been kidnapped by gunmen suspected to be bandits.
AFRIPOST had initially reported that the lawmaker was taken hostage after a group of heavily armed assailants stormed Bagudo town in a surprise night raid.
Witnesses said the attackers arrived on motorcycles, firing sporadically to scare residents before whisking the deputy speaker away.
Police spokesperson Nafiu Abubakar, in a statement on Friday, said the criminals operated with sophisticated weapons during the assault.
According to him, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Bello Sani, has already deployed a tactical team to ensure the lawmaker’s safe return.
“A combined team of police officers, soldiers, and local vigilantes has been mobilised to comb forests and surrounding communities in search of the victim,” Abubakar explained.
“Our goal is to rescue him unharmed and bring those responsible to justice.”
He further appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid spreading panic, assuring that the police were making significant progress in the ongoing operation.
“The command remains fully committed to protecting lives and property across Kebbi State,” Abubakar stated.
“We urge the public to cooperate by sharing any useful information that could aid the rescue mission.”
The abduction has heightened fears of renewed insecurity in parts of Kebbi State, where armed groups have recently intensified attacks on public officials and rural communities.
Security experts have urged authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering and improve surveillance to prevent similar incidents in the future.