The Kebbi State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Alhaji Muhammad Sama’ila-Bagudo.
The incident occurred on Friday night in Bagudo Local Government Area, shortly after the lawmaker left a mosque where he had observed the Isha’i prayer.
In a statement on Saturday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar, said armed men stormed the town around 8:20pm and whisked away the lawmaker.
“A group of armed bandits invaded Bagudo town and kidnapped the Deputy Speaker as he was returning from the mosque,” Abubakar said.
He explained that security operatives were immediately deployed to track the suspects and rescue the lawmaker.
“A joint team of police tactical units, soldiers and local vigilantes has been mobilised and is currently combing suspected hideouts and surrounding forests to ensure his safe return,” he added.
Abubakar also stated that the Commissioner of Police, Bello Sani, had reassured residents that the command remains committed to their safety.
“The Commissioner urges residents to remain calm, vigilant and to provide credible information that can assist in the rescue effort,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, the abductors have not made any contact or demands, and the state government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
The kidnapping adds to rising concerns over insecurity in several northern states, where abductions for ransom have persisted despite increased security deployments.
