SUSPECTED bandits have abducted the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Hon. Nura Umar Bungudu, after attacking his residence in Bungudu town.
News Point Nigeria gathered that the attackers stormed the town on Thursday night and moved directly to the council chairman’s residence located in the Zango area, less than 20 kilometres from the state capital, Gusau.
A resident who spoke with this newspaper on condition of anonymity said the gunmen overpowered the security personnel stationed at the residence, killing two police officers and two vigilantes before abducting 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 attached to the chairman’s residence attempted to repel the attackers but were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the bandits.
“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 resident disclosed that the gunmen initially abducted the council chairman, his wife and their children during the attack.
He, however, said security operatives who responded to the incident later rescued four or five of the children while pursuing the attackers.
“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.
The source explained that although reinforcement teams were mobilised to the area, they arrived after the attackers had already completed their operation and escaped.
“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 increasing frequency of attacks in the area to the heavy weapons allegedly used by the bandits as well as the activities of informants who provide assistance to 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 added.
He called on the government and security agencies to strengthen security measures in Bungudu and other vulnerable communities across Zamfara 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 by News Point Nigeria to obtain official confirmation from the Zamfara State Police Command were unsuccessful as calls and a text message sent to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.