Nigerian troops have rescued five relatives of the Executive Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area in Zamfara State, Nura Abdullahi, following a deadly attack on his residence by suspected terrorists.
The council chairman remains in captivity as security forces intensify efforts to secure his release.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday when heavily armed gunmen stormed Abdullahi’s residence.
The assailants reportedly overpowered police officers and local vigilantes assigned to his security before abducting the chairman and several members of his family.
Although troops responded quickly to the distress call, the attackers had already escaped into nearby bushes with the council chairman before security operatives could intercept them.
Military authorities confirmed that five abducted relatives have since been rescued, while a coordinated search-and-rescue operation is ongoing to locate and free the council chairman.
The military also disclosed that three members of the chairman’s security team including two police officers and a local vigilante were killed while attempting to repel the attackers.
A civilian also lost his life during the assault, while the chairman’s elder brother, Alhaji Bello Umar, sustained injuries.
Joint security operations involving troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilante groups are continuing to track down the kidnappers and rescue the abducted council chairman.
The latest attack highlights the persistent insecurity in Zamfara State, where banditry, kidnappings and attacks on communities continue despite sustained military operations across Nigeria’s North-West.
