Suspected bandits have kidnapped the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Hon. Nura Umar Bungudu, following a late-night attack on his residence that reportedly claimed the lives of four security personnel.
The incident occurred on Thursday night in the Zango area of Bungudu town, located less than 20 kilometres from Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
According to residents, the gunmen, who were heavily armed, invaded the chairman’s residence and engaged his security team in a fierce exchange of gunfire before whisking him away.
A resident, who spoke anonymously, said two police officers and two vigilantes attached to the chairman’s residence were killed during the attack.
“They killed two policemen and two vigilantes, including one volunteer vigilante who had been actively helping to protect the town from bandit attacks,” the source said.
The resident explained that although the security personnel fought back, they were outmatched by the attackers’ superior weapons.
“The bandits came into the town determined to carry out their mission. The chairman’s security team put up resistance, but they were outgunned,” he said.
The source further disclosed that the assailants initially abducted the council chairman alongside his wife and children. However, security operatives who responded to the attack reportedly pursued the gunmen and rescued four or five of the children.
“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,” the resident added.
According to the source, reinforcement teams arrived after the attackers had already fled the scene with the victims.
“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 attributed the recurring attacks in the area to the sophisticated weapons used by the bandits and the alleged activities of informants supplying intelligence to the criminal groups.
“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 said.
He called on the federal and Zamfara State governments, as well as security agencies, to strengthen security across Bungudu and other vulnerable communities.
“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 added.
Zamfara State continues to experience persistent attacks by armed bandit groups, with communities regularly targeted in kidnappings, deadly raids and other violent crimes despite ongoing security operations across the North-West.
