Abuja Network News
The abduction of the Deputy Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Hon. Muhammad Samaila Bagudo, has taken a desperate turn, as fresh details suggest that the kidnapped lawmaker has managed to raise over ₦104 million in his effort to meet the ransom demand of his captors.
Abuja Network News has obtained an audio clip allegedly featuring the voice of the abducted Deputy Speaker in conversation with an associate identified only as “Shuaibu.” In the 4-minute, 13-second clip — now under security review — the two men discuss amounts already collected and the frantic search for additional funds to secure his release.
Although Abuja Network News is withholding the full recording to protect the integrity of ongoing rescue efforts, the newsroom can confirm that the clip has been forwarded to relevant security agencies for forensic verification.
Inside the Audio: Pleas, Payments, and Pressure
In the conversation, the voice believed to be that of the Deputy Speaker is heard asking how much progress had been made. Shuaibu replies that ₦104 million in combined currencies — ₦94 million in Naira and 4 million in CFA francs (about ₦10.2 million) — has been raised so far through various contacts and arrangements.
The discussion further mentions an individual called “Abu,” who allegedly withdrew ₦8 million from a bank, and another ₦2 million raised elsewhere, bringing the total to ₦10 million on that side alone.
At one point, the Deputy Speaker appeals to Shuaibu to contact a certain “Maye” and “Habu shoe shiner” to help raise additional funds, even suggesting that vehicles be sold to increase the total.
The exchange, though yet to be independently authenticated, paints a grim picture of a man pleading for his life and scraping for money to meet his abductors’ demands — said to run into “hundreds of millions.”
Political Irony and a State on Edge
The revelation comes barely weeks after the Deputy Speaker and his colleagues in the Kebbi State House of Assembly publicly dismissed former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami’s alarm about rising insecurity in the state.
At a press briefing in early October, the lawmakers accused Malami of “exaggerating” the situation and called for his arrest — a move many described as politically motivated.
Now, that same political establishment faces the harsh reality of a lawmaker negotiating his own ransom in the same state they once described as “peaceful.”
“This incident exposes the tragic denial at the heart of governance in the North-West,” said a political analyst who spoke to Abuja Network News. “When leaders silence those who raise alarms, the crisis deepens. Kebbi has now become a case study in official negligence.”
Bandits or Lakurawa?
Security sources believe the abductors belong to bandit syndicates operating around the Bagudo–Dakingari axis. While some local residents have linked the attack to a group referred to as Lakurawa, police officials have not confirmed any organized faction under that name.
“These are sophisticated criminal networks,” a senior officer said. “Whether they call themselves Lakurawa or not, they’re heavily armed and well-funded.”
Security forces, including police tactical teams and local vigilantes, have since launched operations across the region. Authorities say they are tracking communications and movement patterns associated with the abductors.
A Grim Reminder
For residents of Kebbi State, the Deputy Speaker’s ordeal is a grim reminder that no one is immune from the spreading wave of kidnappings that has plagued much of northern Nigeria.
“What has happened is beyond politics,” said a community leader in Bagudo. “If the Deputy Speaker can be taken, what hope is left for ordinary people?”
Abuja Network News reiterates that it has handed over the audio clip to relevant security agencies and will publish updates once the authenticity and surrounding circumstances are verified.
Editor’s Note:
This exclusive is part of Abuja Network News’ ongoing investigation into the deepening insecurity crisis in the North-West and the rising wave of politically sensitive kidnappings. All facts herein are presented responsibly, in accordance with ethical journalism standards, and with due regard for the safety of the victim.