Bandits Free Chairman’s Family Under Military Pressure, Chairman Still Missing

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued the wife, mother, two children and another relative of the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Hon.

Umar Nura Abdullahi, following a fierce gun battle with bandits who attacked his residence in Zango community.
The attack occurred on Friday morning when heavily armed bandits stormed the chairman’s residence in the community, located about 20 kilometres from Gusau, the Zamfara State capital. Although the troops responded swiftly and engaged the attackers in a coordinated gunfight, the bandits escaped with the council chairman.
In a statement, the Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said police escorts and local vigilantes initially confronted the attackers but were overpowered. He explained that troops immediately responded after hearing gunshots, pursued the fleeing bandits and engaged them in a fierce exchange of fire.
According to the military, the sustained pressure from the troops forced the bandits to abandon five members of the chairman’s family, including his wife, mother, two children and another relative, all of whom were rescued safely. The operation, however, claimed the lives of two police officers, a local vigilante and one civilian, while the chairman’s elder brother, Alhaji Bello Umar, sustained injuries.
The Theatre Command said it has launched a joint search-and-rescue operation involving Operation FANSAN YAMMA troops, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilantes. Security personnel are currently conducting coordinated operations around suspected bandit hideouts to secure the chairman’s release.
The command assured the Zamfara State Government and residents that every lawful operational measure is being deployed to rescue the abducted chairman and bring those responsible for the attack to justice. It also urged members of the public to remain calm, go about their lawful activities and provide credible intelligence through established security channels to support the ongoing rescue mission.