Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have rescued five family members of the Bungudu Local Government Area chairman after terrorists attacked his residence in Zamfara State, killing three people and abducting the chairman.
The security operation followed an attack on the residence of Hon. Nura Umar Abdullahi, the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area, by suspected terrorists.
According to the military, the attackers were forced to abandon five members of the chairman’s family after troops arrived at the scene and engaged them with superior firepower.
Those rescued were identified as two of the chairman’s children, his mother, wife and another relative.
However, the attackers reportedly managed to escape into nearby bushes with the Bungudu LGA chairman despite the intervention of security forces.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja.
Troops respond to attack on Bungudu chairman’s residence
Danja said troops responded promptly to the terrorist attack and launched an engagement against the assailants.
The military intervention reportedly forced the terrorists to abandon five victims before fleeing from the area.
While the rescue operation was successful in recovering the five family members, the attack resulted in casualties among the security personnel and civilians at the scene.
According to the statement, two police officers and a local vigilante member attached to the chairman’s security detail were killed while resisting the attackers.
A civilian also lost his life during the incident.
The chairman’s elder brother, Alhaji Bello Umar, was reportedly injured in the attack.
The military commended the efforts of the security personnel who confronted the attackers, noting that their resistance helped security forces respond to the situation and rescue members of the chairman’s family.
Security agencies launch search for abducted chairman
Following the attack, the Theatre Command activated a coordinated search-and-rescue operation to locate and rescue the Bungudu local government chairman.
The operation involves troops of Operation Fansan Yamma working alongside personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilante groups.
Security forces have reportedly commenced deliberate operations around suspected locations where the terrorists may be hiding or where the abducted chairman could have been taken.
The joint operation is focused on tracking the attackers, locating the chairman and ensuring his safe return to his family.
The Theatre Command said it had deployed all available resources to the ongoing operation and was maintaining close coordination with the participating security agencies.
It assured the Zamfara State Government and residents that all lawful and operational measures were being taken to secure the safe rescue of the abducted chairman.
Military urges Zamfara residents to remain calm
The security authorities appealed to residents of Bungudu and other parts of Zamfara State to remain calm as the search operation continues.
Members of the public were also advised to continue with their lawful activities and avoid actions that could disrupt the ongoing security operation.
The military further urged residents to provide credible and timely information through established security channels.
According to the authorities, useful information from members of the public could assist security agencies in identifying the location of the terrorists and securing the release of the abducted chairman.
The Theatre Command also called for continued cooperation between residents and security agencies, stressing that community intelligence remains important in efforts to combat terrorism and other criminal activities in the North-West.
Operation Fansan Yamma intensifies efforts in North-West
The incident comes amid continuing security operations against terrorists and other armed criminal groups operating in parts of the North-West region.
Zamfara has remained one of the states affected by attacks, abductions and other security challenges, prompting security agencies to intensify operations across vulnerable communities.
Operation Fansan Yamma has been involved in military operations aimed at tackling terrorist and criminal activities in the North-West.
The latest operation involving the Bungudu LGA chairman demonstrates the continued collaboration between the military, police, DSS and local security structures in responding to security threats.
While five members of the chairman’s family have been successfully rescued, the immediate priority of the security forces remains the safe recovery of the Bungudu local government chairman.
The Theatre Command said it would continue working with sister security agencies until the chairman is reunited with his family and those responsible for the attack are brought to justice.
As the search operation continues, residents and the chairman’s family are awaiting further updates from the security authorities on efforts to locate and rescue him.
The military has assured the people of Zamfara State that the search-and-rescue operation remains ongoing and that available resources are being deployed towards achieving a successful outcome.
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