Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued five family members of the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Nura Umar Abdullahi after a terrorist attack on his residence, while efforts are ongoing to secure his release.
It had earlier reported that the council chairman was abducted after armed terrorists stormed his residence in the early hours of Saturday, killing members of his security detail in the attack.
The latest development was contained in a statement on Saturday by Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, the Media Information Officer of Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
“The statement says the rescued victims include two of the chairman’s children, his wife, mother and another relation.
Troops, upon hearing the gunshots, responded immediately and engaged the attackers in a fierce exchange of fire, forcing the terrorists to abandon the five family members during a hot pursuit, Danja said.
But he said the terrorists escaped with the council chairman into the surrounding bush.
The military spokesman said the attack killed three members of the chairman’s security detail, two police officers, and a local vigilante, and also killed a civilian.
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The chairman’s elder brother, Alhaji Bello Umar, was injured in the attack, he said.
The Theatre Command has initiated a combined search and rescue operation involving troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, DSS, and local vigilantes to locate and rescue the abducted chairman, the statement said.
The command said that all available operational resources have been mobilized for the ongoing operation and assured the Zamfara State Government and the residents that all lawful measures are being taken to ensure the safe release of the chairman.
It called on members of the public to remain calm and provide credible information through established security channels that could aid the ongoing rescue operation.
The Theatre Command re-affirmed its commitment to protect lives and property and stated that it would continue to work with other security agencies until the abducted council chairman is rescued and those responsible for the attack are brought to justice.
