Alleged bandits nab family members of Nigerian state's legislature head

By Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu

KANO, Nigeria (AA) - Suspected bandits in Nigeria have abducted the father and several other family members of the state House of Assembly speaker in the northwestern Zamfara state, officials confirmed on Thursday.

The abductors also kidnapped the stepmother and uncle of speaker Alhaji Nasiru Muazu Magarya, along with four others in a raid on his neighborhood in the Zurmi area of Zamfara, with the House of Assembly's director-general of press affairs confirming the report.

"I'm with the honourable speaker right now, we're going to issue a statement," said Mustapha Jafaru Kaura.

The speaker represents the Zurmi East region in the assembly.

Salihu Zurmi, a lawmaker representing Zurmi West, explained that the kidnappers invaded the neighborhood late on Wednesday evening.

"This is the fourth time they are attacking the community. The first time, they killed some people, while in the second assault, they torched residential houses and carted away cows and other domestic animals."

State police spokesman Muhammad Shehu said the police command would soon issue a press release.