Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Hon. Nura Umar Abdullahi, and four other kidnap victims have regained their freedom after escaping from a terrorist hideout during a military operation in Zamfara State.
The victims escaped in the early hours of Thursday as troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA advanced on a suspected terrorist enclave in the Kaura Namoda area following actionable intelligence.
The military said the five victims made their way out of captivity during the operation and were quickly located and secured by nearby troops.
In a statement, the Theatre Command disclosed that the rescued victims were immediately placed under military protection and evacuated to a medical facility for treatment, routine medical evaluation and debriefing.
According to the command, one of the victims has already been reunited with family members, while arrangements are being concluded to hand over the remaining victims to their families and the Zamfara State Government.
Abdullahi was abducted from his residence in Bungudu town in July, an incident that left the local government without its elected chairman for more than two months and highlighted the growing insecurity facing parts of Zamfara State.
Military authorities said the victims’ escape is expected to provide valuable intelligence on terrorist activities, including information about the location of camps, movement of armed groups and the fate of other people still being held captive.
The command, however, did not reveal the identities of the other four victims or provide further details about the terrorist location targeted during the operation.
It praised the victims for their courage and resilience throughout their captivity and commended the troops for their professionalism and vigilance in ensuring their safe recovery.
The military reaffirmed that Operation FANSAN YAMMA would sustain clearance and dominance operations across Zamfara and other troubled areas to dismantle terrorist networks, deny criminal groups safe havens and improve security for residents.
It also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence, stressing that information from local communities remains vital in rescuing kidnapped victims and tracking down terrorists.
The successful escape of the council chairman and the four other victims is expected to boost on-going military operations against armed groups operating in Nigeria’s North-West, where troops have intensified offensives against terrorists and bandits in recent months.
