The Kebbi State Police Command has confirmed that suspected bandits abducted the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Alhaji Muhammad Sama’ila-Bagudo, 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 Abubakar, the abduction occurred on Friday night around 8:20pm, when a group of armed men invaded Bagudo town and seized the lawmaker shortly after he had observed the Isha’i prayer on his way home.
PUNCH Online had reported late Friday that the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ahmed Idris, said he had just received the information when contacted by our correspondent.
The police spokesman added that the Command had swiftly deployed a joint team comprising police tactical units, military personnel, and local vigilantes to pursue the abductors and secure the 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, Mr 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.
PUNCH Online reports that 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.
PUNCH
