Nigeria, Nov. 1 -- Armed bandits have abducted the Deputy Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Muhammad Bagudo, amid renewed attacks and kidnappings in Nigeria's north-west region.

Mr Bagudo, 60, was seized on Friday night in his hometown, Bagudo, the headquarters of Bagudo Local Government Area, shortly after observing the Isha'i prayers.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers, armed with sophisticated weapons, ambushed him around 8:20 p.m. and whisked him away to an unknown destination.

A combined team of police tactical units, military personnel and local vigilantes has since been deployed to the area to search for the lawmaker and pursue the abductors.

The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement signed b...