LG Chairman, Four Others Escape After 61 Days in Captivity

The Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Nura Abdullahi, has escaped from the custody of armed terrorists after spending 61 days in captivity.

Abdullahi and four other kidnapped victims regained their freedom in the early hours of Thursday during an intelligence-led military operation in the Kaura Namoda area of the state.

The Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, confirmed their escape in a statement issued by its Media Information Officer, Lt.-Col. Aliyu Danja, in Gusau.

According to Danja, the victims escaped from a suspected terrorist location while troops conducted an operation in the area. Soldiers later secured them and moved them to safety.

Abdullahi was abducted from his residence in Bungudu town on July 25, 2026, during an attack by armed bandits. Four members of his security detail died in the attack.

The deceased included two police officers and two members of a local vigilante group. They were killed during the gun battle that preceded the chairman’s abduction.

Danja said troops received the five escapees after they broke away from their captors. The soldiers then provided security cover before evacuating them to a military medical facility.

“The victims escaped in the course of an intelligence-led operation by troops against a suspected terrorists’ location in the general area and were received by troops deployed in the vicinity,” he stated.

He added that the victims were undergoing medical treatment, evaluation and routine debriefing.

One of the rescued victims has already reunited with family members, while the military is making arrangements to reunite the others with their relatives and the Zamfara State Government.

The Theatre Command commended the victims for their courage and determination after more than two months in captivity. It also praised the troops for their vigilance and professionalism during the operation.

Danja said the military would sustain clearance operations across the affected areas to disrupt terrorist activities and protect communities.

He also assured families of other people still held or missing that troops remained committed to securing their safe return.

“The Theatre Command urges members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the nearest military or other security agencies,” Danja said.

The rescue comes amid continuing military operations against armed groups operating across parts of Zamfara and other states in the North-West. Security agencies have repeatedly urged residents to provide information that could assist efforts to locate terrorists and rescue abducted persons.