A former chairman of the Ngeski Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Garba Hassan, has been kidnapped by bandits along with 12 other people in Niger State.

Hassan and the others were passengers in a commercial vehicle along Tegina-Kontagora road in Niger State at noon on Thursday when they were abducted.

All the victims were said to be travelling to Kebbi State from Abuja in the commercial vehicle when the incident occurred.

The bandits were said to have been lurking in the bush between Tegina and Kontagora town in Niger State when they stormed the road and stopped the vehicle in which Hassan and the others were travelling.

It was learnt that the victims were subsequently led into the bush by the bandits from where they were taken to an unknown destination.

The Kebbi State Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ahmed Idris, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with our correspondent.

“We have heard about it, we are investigating the circumstances that led to his kidnap,” Idris said, adding that “everything will be done to secure Alhaji Garba Hassan’s release.”

But when contacted, Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, said, “I will find out and get back to you.”