Armed gunmen kidnap local government head in Zamfara, leaving four security officers dead

In a brazen attack, bandits stormed the residence of Nura Abdullahi, the chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area in Zamfara State, in the early hours of Saturday, abducting him in the process. The daring raid also resulted in the deaths of four members of the chairman's security detail, comprising two policemen and two local vigilantes.

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An indigene of the town, Abdullahi Na Allah Said, revealed that the bandits, who were reportedly in large numbers, invaded the chairman's residence and engaged his security guards in a fierce gun battle.

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The attack on the chairman's residence was swift and targeted, with the bandits making their way straight to the house, where they abducted Nura Abdullahi, his wife, and their children, before fleeing into the forest.

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According to Abdullahi Na Allah Said, the security personnel attached to the chairman's residence put up a valiant fight to repel the attackers, but were ultimately unable to prevent the abduction, with two policemen and two vigilante members losing their lives in the process.

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Efforts to reach the spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command for comment were unsuccessful, as he was unreachable on the telephone despite multiple attempts.

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Troops from Operation FANSAN YAMMA have intensified their search for the abducted chairman, with Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West), revealing that the terrorists overpowered the chairman's security detail before abducting him and his family members.

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Danja explained that the troops responded promptly to the sound of gunshots and engaged the attackers in a fierce exchange of fire, forcing the terrorists to abandon five members of the chairman's family, who were subsequently rescued.

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The rescued family members included two children, the chairman's mother, his wife, and a relative, but the attackers managed to escape into the surrounding bushes with the chairman.

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The Army statement confirmed that the attack resulted in the deaths of two policemen and one local vigilante, while a civilian also lost their life, and the chairman's elder brother, Alhaji Bello Umar, was injured in the incident.

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In the aftermath of the attack, the Theatre Command activated a coordinated search-and-rescue operation, involving troops from Operation FANSAN YAMMA, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and local vigilantes.

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Security forces are currently conducting operations at suspected locations linked to the terrorists in a bid to rescue the chairman, with the Theatre Command assuring the Zamfara State Government and residents that all necessary measures are being taken to secure the chairman's safe rescue.

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The command has appealed to the public to remain calm and provide credible information through established security channels to assist the ongoing operation, while also urging residents to continue with their lawful activities.