Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have rescued five family members of Nura Abdullahi, the executive chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, abducted by terrorists.

The terrorists invaded the chairman’s residence in the early hours of Saturday and abducted him and some of his family members after overpowering his police and vigilante security personnel, Aliyu Danja, the operation’s spokesman, said in a statement on Saturday.

He said troops swiftly moved to the scene after hearing gunshots and engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle.

“Troops’ prompt intervention forced the terrorists to abandon 5 of the Chairman’s family members comprising 2 of his children, mother, wife and his relatives, who were successfully rescued,” he said. 

Mr Danja explained that the terrorists narrowly escaped into the surrounding bushes with the chairman.

“Sadly, the attack claimed the lives of members of the Chairman’s security detail, including 2 policemen and 1 local vigilante who gallantly resisted the attackers. 

“A civilian was killed while the Chairman’s elder brother, Alhaji Bello Umar was injured during the attack,” he said.

He added that the command had activated a coordinated search-and-rescue operation involving troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, the Nigeria Police Force, the State Security Service (SSS) and local vigilantes.