Gunmen suspected to be bandits have reportedly abducted the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Hon. Nura Umar Bungudu.
The attackers stormed Bungudu town on Thursday night and headed straight for the council chairman’s residence in the Zango area, less than 20 kilometres from the state capital, Gusau.
A resident, who spoke to on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen overpowered security personnel guarding the residence, killing two police officers and two vigilantes before whisking away the chairman and members of his family.
“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.
According to the resident, the security personnel at the residence attempted to resist the attackers but were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the assailants.
“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 added that the gunmen initially abducted the council chairman, his wife and their children.
However, security operatives who responded to the attack were able to rescue four or five of the children during a pursuit.
“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.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the Zamfara State Police Command were unsuccessful. Calls and a text message sent to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, were not returned as of the time of filing this report.
(Ripples)