Troops Rescue Five Relatives of Abducted Zamfara LG Chairman as Search Intensifies

Nigerian troops have rescued five relatives of the abducted Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Nura Abdullahi, following a deadly attack on his residence by suspected terrorists in the early hours of Saturday.

The council chairman, however, remains in captivity as security forces intensify a coordinated search-and-rescue operation aimed at securing his release.

The attack occurred when heavily armed gunmen stormed Abdullahi's residence, overpowering members of his security detail before abducting him and several members of his family.

According to military authorities, troops responded swiftly after receiving reports of the attack and pursued the fleeing gunmen into nearby bushes.

During the operation, security forces engaged the attackers in a fierce exchange of gunfire, forcing them to abandon five members of the chairman's family.

The rescued victims include two of the chairman's children, his wife, his mother and another relative.

Despite the intervention, the terrorists escaped with the council chairman.

The military said the attack claimed the lives of three members of the chairman's security detail, two police officers and a local vigilante who were killed while attempting to repel the attackers.

A civilian also lost his life during the assault.

The chairman's elder brother, Alhaji Bello Umar, sustained injuries and is receiving medical attention.

Military authorities said troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, working alongside the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilante groups, have launched a coordinated operation to locate the kidnappers and rescue the abducted council chairman.

Security forces said operations are ongoing across suspected hideouts used by the terrorists, with additional personnel deployed to strengthen the search.

The military appealed to residents to remain calm and continue providing credible intelligence that could assist ongoing operations.