Zamfara: How LG Chairman’s 5 Children were Rescued From Bandits

More facts have emerged on the abduction of the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Nura Umar Bungudu from suspected bandits, and the eventual rescue of his children from the abductors  on Thursday, July 23.

The bandits, the magazine reports had stormed the home of the LG chairman in Zango area on Thursday night, whisking him away alongside his family members including his wife and children.

The incident took place around the town which is almost 20 kilometers from Gusau, the state capital.

According to Daily Trust, the assailants had attacked Bungudu’s residence two nights ago, after they overpowered his security guards which included the police and vigilante, forcing their way into his house and abducted him.

Two policemen and one volunteer vigilante were said to have been shot dead by the dare-devil bandits who sources said used superior weapons to subdue the security guards.

Following the attack,  security operatives were said to have quickly mobilized and pursued the bandits into the nearby bush, where they were able to rescue five children and wife of the abducted chairman.

“They kidnapped the chairman along with his wife and children, but security personnel later rescued some of the children. Unfortunately, the chairman was taken away,” he said.

He explained that although reinforcement teams were deployed, they arrived after the attackers had already fled.

“The security personnel tried their best, but by the time reinforcements got there, the bandits had already executed their plan and escaped,” he said.

The resident blamed the increasing frequency of such attacks on the heavy weaponry used by the gunmen and the activities of informants who allegedly aid their operations.

“They don’t give any warning before attacking. They come heavily armed and in large numbers. Despite the efforts of security forces, they still managed to escape with the chairman,” he added.

He urged the government and security agencies to strengthen security in Bungudu and other vulnerable communities across the state.

“Our people resisted alongside the security forces, but the bandits overpowered them. They carry sophisticated weapons that ordinary people cannot match. We appeal to the authorities to do more to protect lives and property,” he said.

Zamfara is one of the epicenters of banditry in northern Nigeria, and inspite of the constant attacks on various communities by the criminals, the governor of the state, Dauda Lawal has vowed not to negotiate with bandits, urging security forces to go all out for them.

Recently, on July 12 a notorious bandit commander Kachalla Sani Yellow was killed by the combined forces of security agencies and vigilante in Anka Local Government Area of the state.