Gunmen kill APC chairman in Kebbi

Bako Bala, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Suru Local Government Area (LGA) of Kebbi State, has been reportedly shot dead by gunmen.

According to a Facebook post by Zaidu Bala, special adviser on television and radio to Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, Bala was killed at his residence following an abduction attempt.

“To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return. Alhaji Bako Bala has died — APC chairman of Suru local government,” the post reads.

“He died after kidnappers abducted him and his family last night. They shot him, and he passed away at the Medical Centre Hospital in Birnin Kebbi. May Allah have mercy on him.”

Nafiu Abubakar, the police spokesperson in Kebbi State, when asked, stated that he would verify the incident and provide further information.

This tragic event comes amid a surge in banditry in the north-west region as security forces continue their decade-long battle to combat insecurity.

In recent weeks, Nigerian military personnel have thwarted several attacks across the region. On September 11, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) stopped a terrorist assault on Department of State Services (DSS) facilities in Niger State, and days later, Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) forces killed notorious bandit leaders in Zamfara.