Abducted Zamfara LGA chairman regains freedom after 61 days in captivity

Nura Abdullahi, the abducted chairman of Bungudu LGA in Zamfara, has regained freedom after 61 days in captivity.

According to NAN, Aliyu Danja, media information officer for the joint task force north-west, Operation FANSAN YAMMA in Gusau, the Zamfara state capital, announced the development in a statement on Thursday.

Abdullahi was abducted by armed bandits on July 25, 2026, during an attack on his residence in Bungudu town.

Four members of his security detail, comprising two police officers and two local vigilante members, were killed during the gun battle that led to his abduction.

Danja said the chairman and four other victims escaped from the captivity in the early hours of Thursday.

According to him, troops of the joint task force north-west, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, received and secured the abductees in the general area of Kaura Namoda LGA.

“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 said.

“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.”

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.

He said the theatre command commended the courage, resilience and determination of the victims in regaining their freedom after a prolonged period in captivity.