The Deputy Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Muhammad Samaila Bagudo, who was kidnapped by gunmen suspected of being Lakurawa terrorists, has been released.
Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor, verified the news late Saturday night in a phone call, saying the legislator had been released and reunited with his family.
Bagudo was kidnapped on Thursday night, October 31, 2025, at approximately 8:20 p.m. in his hometown of Bagudo, the seat of the Bagudo Local Government Area, just after performing Isha’i prayers.
Armed with sophisticated weaponry, the criminals reportedly assaulted the town, kidnapped the 60-year-old legislator, and carried him to an unknown destination, inciting outrage among residents.
Following the kidnapping, the Kebbi State Police Command, in conjunction with military personnel and vigilante groups, began a giant manhunt.
CSP Nafiu Abubakar, the Police Public Relations Officer, earlier verified the kidnapping and assured the public that a concerted search and rescue operation was underway.
He described Bello M. Sani, the Commissioner of Police, as underlining the Command’s intention to achieve the lawmaker’s safe return and the arrest of the offenders.
“The Commissioner of Police reiterates the Command’s uncompromising resolve to ensure the safe rescue of the Honourable member and the arrest of the culprits,” the statement read.
Residents of Bagudo and the surrounding settlements remained nervous as security personnel searched suspected bandits‘ routes and forest hiding places.
Although specifics regarding Bagudo’s release are scant, government sources suggested that he was liberated unharmed.
