BREAKING: 61 Days After Abduction, Troops Secure Zamfara Council Chairman, 4 Others

Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have received and secured the chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Hon. Nura Umar Abdullahi, and four other kidnap victims who escaped from terrorists’ captivity in the early hours of yesterday.

The media information officer, Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt.-Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement issued in Gusau on Thursday evening.

Danja said the victims escaped in the general area of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of the state.

He said Abdullahi was abducted from his residence in Bungudu town in July, 2026, an incident on which the Theatre Command had earlier issued a statement.

According to him, the victims escaped in the course of an intelligence-led operation by troops against a suspected terrorists’ location in the area.

“They were received by troops deployed in the vicinity. They were provided with security cover and evacuated to a military medical facility, where they are responding to treatment and undergoing evaluation and routine debriefing,” he said.

Danja said one of the victims had since been reunited with his family, while arrangements were being made for the safe reunion of the others with their families and the Zamfara State Government.

“The Theatre Command commends the courage, resilience and determination of the victims in regaining their freedom after a prolonged period in captivity.

“It also commends the troops for their vigilance and professionalism in receiving and securing them.

“The return of the victims is a welcome relief to their families and the people of Bungudu Local Government Area, and Zamfara State as a whole,” he said.

He assured that troops of Operation Fansan Yamma would sustain clearance and dominance operations across the general area to disrupt terrorist activities and protect communities.

He said the troops remained committed to securing the safe return of any other persons still held or missing, and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the nearest military or other security agencies.