Sani Haruna
Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted the Deputy Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Alhaji Samaila Bagudu, at his residence in Bagudu Local Government Area on Friday night.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred shortly after the Deputy Speaker returned from observing the Isha’i prayer at a nearby mosque around 8:00 p.m.
A resident who spoke to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi said the assailants accosted the lawmaker as he was leaving the mosque and ordered him into a vehicle they brought.
The gunmen reportedly fired several shots into the air to disperse onlookers before whisking him away.
During the attack, a young boy was shot in the leg while attempting to help the Deputy Speaker put on his shoes. He has since been taken to the hospital for treatment. No deaths were reported.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ahmed Idris, said he had received information about the incident and was awaiting a full briefing from the state’s Director of Security.
“Yes, I just got the information about the alleged abduction of the Deputy Speaker in his hometown this evening. I am in touch with the Director of Security in the state. Once I get the details of what transpired, I will alert you very soon on the government’s position,” Idris said.
He added that the state government was on top of the situation and making efforts to ensure the lawmaker’s safe release.
Sources from Bagudo, the hometown of the Deputy Speaker, said the gunmen stormed the town on Friday evening, shooting sporadically