By Aisha Musa

National News – Troops of the Nigerian Army’s Operation FANSAN YAMMA have intensified efforts to rescue the abducted Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Nura Abdullahi, following his abduction by suspected terrorists.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, and published on the Nigerian Army’s official X account on Saturday.

According to the statement, the attackers stormed Abdullahi’s residence in the early hours of Saturday, overpowering his police and vigilante security personnel before abducting him alongside members of his family.

The military said troops responded immediately after hearing gunshots and launched a hot pursuit of the fleeing terrorists, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.

The statement noted that the swift response forced the terrorists to abandon five members of the chairman’s family, including his wife, mother, two children and another relative, who were successfully rescued.

However, the abductors reportedly escaped into nearby bushes with the council chairman.

The attack claimed the lives of three members of the chairman’s security detail, comprising two police officers and one local vigilante, who were said to have resisted the attackers.

The military also confirmed that the chairman’s elder brother, Alhaji Bello Umar, sustained injuries during the attack.

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

Security forces are currently conducting operations in suspected terrorist hideouts with the aim of rescuing the abducted council chairman safely.

The Theatre Command said it had deployed all available resources for the operation and assured the Zamfara State Government and residents that every lawful and operational measure was being taken to secure the chairman’s release.