Tension as Gunmen Suspected to Be Terrorists Kidnap Kebbi State Deputy Speaker
By Passman Akpos
Tension has gripped Kebbi State following the abduction of the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly by gunmen suspected to be terrorists.
According to local sources, the incident occurred late Friday night when heavily armed men invaded the lawmaker’s residence in Zuru Local Government Area, firing sporadically before whisking him away to an unknown destination.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the area on motorcycles, shooting indiscriminately and creating panic among residents. Several people reportedly sustained injuries while attempting to flee the scene.
Security operatives have since been deployed to the area, while a manhunt has been launched to rescue the abducted legislator. The Kebbi State Police Command has confirmed the incident, assuring the public that efforts are ongoing to secure his release.
A senior security official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the pattern of attack bears the hallmark of terrorist groups operating across parts of the North-West region.
Meanwhile, residents of Zuru and neighboring communities have expressed fear over the rising wave of insecurity in the state, calling on both state and federal authorities to intensify efforts to curb criminal activities.
As of press time, no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, and the kidnappers are yet to make any ransom demand.
The abduction of a high-ranking political figure marks yet another worrying escalation in the security challenges facing the North-West, where banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping have continued to destabilize communities and threaten governance.
