{"id":123686,"date":"2025-11-09T13:23:45","date_gmt":"2025-11-09T12:23:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=123686"},"modified":"2025-11-09T13:23:45","modified_gmt":"2025-11-09T12:23:45","slug":"kebbi-deputy-speaker-muhammad-bagudu-freed-by-bandits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/exclusive\/kebbi-deputy-speaker-muhammad-bagudu-freed-by-bandits\/","title":{"rendered":"Kebbi Deputy Speaker Muhammad-Bagudu Freed by Bandits"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Lizzy Chirkpi<\/div>\n
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The Deputy Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Hon. Samaila Muhammad-Bagudu, has regained his freedom days after being abducted by armed bandits along the Bagudo\u2013Koko Road in Kebbi State.<\/div>\n
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His release was officially confirmed on Sunday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Yakubu Tafida, who described the development as \u201ca huge relief for the government and people of Kebbi State.\u201d<\/div>\n
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In a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi, Tafida said the Deputy Speaker was rescued through the combined efforts of security agencies, community vigilantes, and local authorities.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWe are grateful to Almighty Allah for the safe rescue of Hon. Samaila Muhammad-Bagudu, Deputy Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly. His freedom was made possible through the tireless efforts of our security forces and the unwavering cooperation of the local communities,\u201d the SSG stated.<\/div>\n
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He added that the state government worked closely with federal security operatives to ensure the lawmaker\u2019s release without harm.<\/div>\n
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\u201cGovernor Nasir Idris personally monitored the situation and gave clear directives that every lawful measure must be taken to secure his release,\u201d Tafida said. \u201cWe commend the gallantry of our security operatives and the resilience of our people who refused to be intimidated by criminal elements.\u201d<\/div>\n
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The SSG assured residents that the government remains committed to tackling insecurity across the state, noting that efforts have been intensified to dislodge bandit camps operating within border communities.<\/div>\n
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\u201cThe government will not relent until every citizen can travel and sleep peacefully without fear. We are determined to rid Kebbi of banditry and other forms of criminality,\u201d Tafida emphasized.<\/div>\n
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Hon. Muhammad-Bagudu was reportedly abducted on Thursday evening while returning to Birnin Kebbi from an official assignment in his constituency. Eyewitnesses said the lawmaker\u2019s convoy was intercepted by armed men who opened fire, forcing his security escort to retreat as they overpowered them and whisked him into the nearby forest.<\/div>\n
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The abduction triggered widespread concern across the state, with lawmakers, traditional rulers, and residents calling for his immediate release. Governor Idris had, on Friday, convened an emergency security meeting, ordering a massive search operation and deployment of additional personnel to the affected axis.<\/div>\n
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Sources close to the Deputy Speaker\u2019s family confirmed that he was released unharmed and has since reunited with his loved ones in Birnin Kebbi.<\/div>\n
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The Kebbi State Police Command also confirmed the rescue, assuring that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWe are on the trail of the bandits. Some useful intelligence has been gathered, and arrests will follow soon,\u201d said the Command\u2019s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Abubakar.<\/div>\n
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As the news of his release spread across Kebbi on Sunday morning, messages of gratitude and relief poured in from constituents, colleagues, and political leaders, who hailed the development as a victory against rising insecurity in the North-West region.<\/div>\n
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