Kebbi State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Regains Freedom Days After Kidnapping

Hon. Muhammad Samaila Bagudo, Deputy Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, has regained his freedom after being abducted by gunmen suspected to be Lakurawa terrorists.

Ahmed Idris, chief press secretary to the governor, confirmed the development on Saturday night in a telephone interview.

Bagudo was kidnapped on Thursday night in Bagudo, headquarters of Bagudo local government area, shortly after observing Isha’i prayers.

The assailants were said to have stormed the town with heavy weapons and whisked him to an undisclosed location.

Following the incident, the Kebbi police command launched a joint search operation with the military and local vigilantes.

Nafiu Abubakar, police spokesperson in Kebbi, had earlier said the command was working to ensure Bagudo’s safe rescue and the arrest of the abductors.

He quoted Bello M. Sani, commissioner of police, as reaffirming the command’s resolve to secure the lawmaker’s release.

Security operatives had combed suspected bandit routes and forest hideouts during the search.

Details of Bagudo’s release were not disclosed, but government officials said he was reunited with his family without injury.