Jelili Gbadamosi
Nura Umar Bungudu, Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, has been abducted by suspected bandits after gunmen attacked his residence, killing four security operatives.
The attackers reportedly stormed Bungudu town on Thursday night and headed straight to the council chairman’s residence in the Zango area, less than 20 kilometres from the state capital, Gusau.
During the attack, the gunmen allegedly overpowered security personnel guarding the residence, killing two police officers and two vigilantes before abducting Bungudu and members of his family.
According to Daily Trust, the chairman’s security team attempted to repel the attackers but was overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the assailants.
The report said the bandits initially abducted Bungudu, his wife and their children.
However, security operatives who pursued the attackers reportedly rescued four or five of the children, while the chairman remained in captivity.
A resident said reinforcement teams arrived after the attackers had already fled the scene.
The resident also blamed the increasing frequency of attacks in the area on the sophisticated weapons used by the bandits and the activities of informants allegedly aiding their operations.
Residents have appealed to the government and security agencies to strengthen security in Bungudu and other vulnerable communities across Zamfara State to curb recurring attacks.
