Nigeria, Feb. 26 -- Suspected bandits have kidnapped the Vice Chairman of Bukkuyum Local Government, Bala Muhamemad, and several other passengers on a Zamfara state highway.

Residents said the terrorists used a bus for the operation, instead of their usual motorcycles, so as to beat security and local intelligence.

Mr Muhammad was abducted alongside three staff members of the council and other passengers Monday evening while they travelled from Bukkuyum to Gusau, the state's capital.

A resident, Haruna Malam, told reporters that the gang moved the passengers from their vehicles at gunpoint into bus parked a few meters from the main road.

Usman Dantsoho, a tree cutter from Gadarmanya village of Anka LGA, escaped the abduction.

Mr Dant...