Nigerian troops have rescued the wife, mother, two children and another relative of the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Hon. Nura Umar Abdullahi, after terrorists attacked his residence and abducted him.
The attackers reportedly escaped with the Council Chairman despite a fierce gun battle and a coordinated pursuit by security operatives.
The rescue operation was disclosed in a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja.
According to the statement, the heavily armed terrorists stormed the Chairman’s residence in the early hours of Friday, overpowering his police escorts and local vigilantes before abducting him and members of his family.
Troops were immediately deployed after gunshots were heard and engaged the fleeing terrorists in a fierce exchange of fire.
“On hearing gunshots, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA responded immediately and swiftly moved to the scene where they engaged in hot pursuit of the terrorists leading to a fierce exchange of fire,” the statement said.
The military said the swift response forced the attackers to abandon five members of the Chairman’s family, including his wife, mother, two children and another relative, who were subsequently rescued.
However, the terrorists reportedly fled into nearby bushes with the Council Chairman.
Three members of the Chairman’s security team were killed in the attack. They included two police officers and a local vigilante who reportedly resisted the attackers.
A civilian was also killed, while the Chairman’s elder brother, Alhaji Bello Umar, sustained injuries.
Following the attack, the Theatre Command launched a joint search-and-rescue operation involving troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilantes.
Security operatives are currently conducting coordinated operations around suspected terrorist hideouts in an effort to locate and rescue the abducted Council Chairman.
“The Theatre Command has deployed all available resources in the ongoing operation and remains in close coordination with participating security agencies,” the statement added.
The Command assured the Zamfara State Government and residents that every lawful operational measure was being taken to secure the Chairman’s safe rescue and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
It also urged residents to remain calm, continue with their lawful activities and provide credible information that could assist the ongoing rescue operation through established security channels.
“The Theatre remains resolute in its mandate to protect lives and property and will continue working with sister security agencies until the abducted Chairman is safely reunited with his family and the perpetrators are brought to justice,” the statement added.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that suspected bandits abducted the Bungudu Local Government Chairman after attacking his residence in a late-night raid that left four security personnel dead.
The attack took place on Thursday night in the Zango area of Bungudu town, less than 20 kilometres from Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
Residents said the heavily armed gunmen stormed the Chairman’s residence and engaged security personnel in a fierce gun battle before abducting him.
