The Deputy Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Muhammad Samaila Bagudo, who was abducted by gunmen suspected to be Lakurawa terrorists, has regained his freedom.
The development was confirmed late Saturday night by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ahmed Idris, in a telephone interview with Punch.
Idris said the lawmaker had been released and reunited with his family, ending days of anxiety in his hometown.
Naijaonpoint recall that Bagudo was kidnapped on Thursday, October 31, 2025, at about 8:20 p.m. shortly after observing Isha’i prayers in Bagudo, headquarters of Bagudo Local Government Area.
Armed with sophisticated weapons, the assailants stormed the town and whisked away the 60-year-old legislator to an unknown destination, throwing residents into panic.
Following the abduction, the Kebbi State Police Command, supported by military personnel and vigilante groups, launched a coordinated search and rescue operation.
Police spokesperson, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, earlier confirmed the incident, assuring the public that efforts were being intensified to locate and rescue the lawmaker.
Quoting the Commissioner of Police, Bello M. Sani, Abubakar said, “The Commissioner of Police reiterates the Command’s unwavering determination to ensure the safe rescue of the Honourable member and the arrest of the culprits.”
Residents of Bagudo and neighbouring communities remained tense throughout the manhunt as security forces combed suspected bandits’ routes and forest hideouts.
Although full details of the rescue operation remain sketchy, government sources who spoke with Punch disclosed that Bagudo was released unhurt.
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