A senior local official in western Nigeria was kidnapped by gunmen early on Monday, according to authorities.

Some 20 gunmen abducted Alhaji Muhammed Sanni Idris, the commissioner for information in Niger state, from his hometown of Baban Tunga in the Tafa local government area, confirmed Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the state's government secretary, adding that the kidnapping took place at around 1 a.m. local time (0000GMT).

"Security is already on the trail of the kidnappers, we hope they will discover him soon and rescue him unharmed," said Ibrahim.

Governor Sani Bello also confirmed the abduction, with his chief press secretary, Mary Noel-Berje, saying security agencies are trailing the bandits who are responsible.

Nigeria's state of Niger has been hit with a wave of attacks and abductions by bandits.

About 27 students were kidnapped in the town of Kagara in February.

Other mass abductions in the state include the kidnapping of over 100 pupils in the Tegina area. The pupils are currently still in captivity./aa