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 in a statement on Saturday by Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer of Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
The statement says the rescued victims include two children of the chairman, his wife, mother and another relation.
Troops responded immediately after hearing the gunshots and exchanged fire with the attackers in a fierce gun battle, forcing the terrorists to abandon the five family members during a hot pursuit, Danja said.
Read Also: Kwankwaso Backs Peter Obi’s Pledge To Serve Only One Term
But he said the terrorists fled with the council chairman into the bush surrounding the area.
The military spokesman said that the attack killed three members of the chairman’s security detail, two police officers and a local vigilante, and also killed a civilian.
The chairman’s older brother, Alhaji Bello Umar, was wounded in the attack, he said.
The statement said the Theatre Command has mobilized a joint search and rescue operation with troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, DSS, and local vigilantes to locate and rescue the abducted chairman.
The command said that all operational resources available have been mobilized for the ongoing operation and assured the Zamfara State Government and residents that all lawful measures are being taken to secure the safe release of the chairman.
It asked members of the public to stay calm and give credible information via established security channels that could assist the ongoing rescue operation.
The Theatre Command re-affirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and assured that it would continue to collaborate with other security agencies until the abducted council chairman is rescued and the perpetrators of the attack are brought to justice.