Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued five family members of the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Honourable Nura Umar Abdullahi, after terrorists attacked his residence and abducted him in the early hours of Saturday.
The terrorists reportedly stormed the council chairman’s residence on July 25, overpowering his police and vigilante security team before abducting him along with some members of his family.
The Theatre Command of Operation FANSAN YAMMA said troops responded swiftly after hearing gunshots from the area and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said the troops’ intervention forced the terrorists to abandon five of the abducted family members.
The rescued victims include two of the chairman’s children, his mother, wife and other relatives.
“Troops’ prompt intervention forced the terrorists to abandon five of the Chairman’s family members comprising two of his children, mother, wife and his relatives, who were successfully rescued,” the statement said.
However, the terrorists escaped into surrounding bushes with the council chairman.
The attack also claimed the lives of members of the chairman’s security detail, including two police officers and a local vigilante who resisted the attackers. A civilian was also killed, while the chairman’s elder brother, Alhaji Bello Umar, sustained injuries.
Following the incident, the Theatre Command said it had launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation involving troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilantes.
According to the Command, security forces are conducting operations at suspected terrorist hideouts in an effort to rescue the abducted chairman.
“The Theatre Command has deployed all available resources in the ongoing operation and remains in close coordination with participating security agencies,” it said.
The Command assured the Zamfara State Government and residents that all lawful and operational measures were being taken to secure the chairman’s release.
It also urged members of the public to remain calm and provide credible information through established security channels that could assist the ongoing rescue operation.
“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.
