Dare Babalola
Suspected bandits have abducted the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Muhammad Sama’ila-Bagudo.
The Kebbi State Police Command has confirmed the abduction through its Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar, in statement he issued in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday saying the lawmaker was kidnapped in Bagudo Local Government Area of the state.
The police image maker in the state confirmed that the incident occurred on Friday night at about 8:20 p.m..
He said a gang of armed men stormed Bagudo town and kidnapped the lawmaker shortly after observing Isha’i prayer on his way home.
The police spokesman said that the command had since deployed a combined team of police tactical unit, military personnel and vigilantes to track down the abductors and ensure safe rescue of the deputy speaker.
“The joint team is currently combing the bandits’ routes and nearby forests with a view to rescuing the lawmaker unhurt and arresting the perpetrators of the dastardly act,” Abubakar said.
He added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Bello Sani, had reiterated the command’s determination to protect the lives and property of residents across the state.
“The CP has also appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to support the police and other security agencies to ensure peace and stability in the state,” the PPRO pleaded.
The abductors had yet to announce their demands, while the state government had not issued any formal statement on the incident or its latest developments.
