Police confirm abduction of Kebbi deputy speaker, launch rescue operation

The Kebbi State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Alhaji Muhammad Sama’ila-Bagudo, by suspected bandits in Bagudo Local Government Area.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Birnin Kebbi.

According to him, the attack occurred on Friday night around 8:20 p.m. when armed men invaded Bagudo town and whisked away the lawmaker shortly after he observed the Isha’i prayer and was returning home.

Abubakar said a joint security team comprising police tactical units, military personnel, and local vigilantes had been deployed to track down the assailants and rescue the victim.

“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,” the PPRO said.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, Bello Sani, had reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.

Sani also urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with credible information that could aid the rescue operation and sustain peace in the state.

As of the time of filing this report, the abductors had yet to make contact or state their demands.