- Bandits abducted Bungudu LG Chairman Nura Umar in Zamfara
- Four security operatives were killed during the attack
- The chairman’s wife and children were later released by the kidnappers
Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Nura Umar, following an attack on his residence in Bungudu town.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that gathered that the attackers reportedly stormed the residence on Friday night, killing two police officers and two members of a local vigilante group assigned to the chairman’s security.
During the raid, Umar, his wife and their children were taken into the forest. However, the gunmen later released his family while keeping the council chairman in captivity.
A relative of the chairman, Anas Ibrahim, said the kidnappers allowed Umar to choose between his own freedom and that of his family, and he opted to secure the release of his wife and children.
According to Ibrahim, the family has since returned home and is awaiting further communication from the abductors.
He also criticised the delayed response of security agencies, alleging that despite repeated distress calls and social media alerts, no reinforcement arrived while the attack lasted.
Ibrahim claimed the gunmen remained at the residence for more than an hour without being confronted by security personnel other than those already stationed at the house.
He expressed the belief that the abduction could have been prevented if additional security operatives had responded promptly.
Another resident of Bungudu, Abdullahi Na Allah, said the armed men engaged the chairman’s security team in a fierce exchange of gunfire before taking him away.
He explained that the attackers moved directly to Umar’s residence upon entering the town before escaping into the forest with their captives.
Na Allah said security personnel made efforts to rescue the council chairman but were unable to stop the kidnappers.
Attempts to obtain a reaction from the spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, Yazid Abubakar, were unsuccessful, as he could not be reached by telephone.
As of the time of filing the report, security agencies had not issued an official statement on the incident.
