Zamfara LG Chair Escapes After Bandits Collect N200m, Refuse To Release Him

The chairman of Bungudu local government area of Zamfara State, Hon. Nura Abdullahi, has escaped from a bandits’ camp after 61 days in captivity.

Abdullahi was abducted on July 25, 2026, when bandits attacked his residence in Bungudu town. He escaped in the early hours of Thursday alongside four other abductees.

A close associate of the chairman and councillor representing Bungudu Council Ward, Hon. Anas, told LEADERSHIP Friday that the family had paid N200 million of the N400 million ransom demanded by the bandits, but they insisted on receiving the N200 million balance before releasing him.

“Though we paid N200 million, they were insisting that the balance of N200 million must be brought to complete the N400 million they demanded. But all thanks to Almighty Allah, he escaped with four people this morning (around 1a.m.). They were not released; that’s not true. They escaped miraculously,” Anas said.

He identified the other escapees as Abdurrahman Dantendu, Kaura Lawal, son of Makaman Kaura, and another person, whose identity could not be ascertained as of press time.

The information officer of “Operation Fansan Yamma”, Col. Aliyu Danja, confirmed to LEADERSHIP yesterday that Abdullahi had been admitted to the military’s medical facility for treatment.

The director-general of Media to the LG Chairman, Umar Rabiu, also confirmed the escape.

A family member, who identified himself simply as Muhammad, said the bandits were still in possession of the chairman’s phone.

“The bandits are still with the chairman’s phone, but he is now with the military for treatment and other check-ups,” he said.

Bandits Demand N30m Ransom For 6 Abducted Imams In Zamfara

In another incident, bandits who abducted six Islamic clerics in Bakura local government area of Zamfara State have demanded N30 million in ransom for their release.

The clerics were abducted on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at about 11:30am on the Dakko–Damri feeder road while travelling to Talata Mafara for a meeting.

A family source, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the incident to LEADERSHIP yesterday, saying the abductors had set a deadline for payment of the ransom.

The victims were identified as Malam Muhammadu Shehu, Chief Imam of Dakko Juma’at Mosque; Malam Murtala Dakko, Deputy Imam of Dakko Juma’at Mosque; Malam Muhammad Yahuza, Chief Imam of Dogon Madacci 1st Juma’at Mosque; Malam Magawata Abdullahi, Chief Imam of Dogon Madacci 2nd Juma’at Mosque; Malam Bala Hogun, Chief Imam of Hogun Juma’at Mosque; and Malam Muhammad Tasi’u, Chief Imam of Kwatsama Juma’at Mosque.

They were reportedly ambushed at Gidan Bature village in Damri Ward, Bakura LGA, while travelling through feeder roads from Lambar Bakura to Dambi and Sabon Garin Dambi, en route to Talata Mafara.

A resident of Dakko village, Malam Muhammad Ibrahim, said the bandits had abducted eight people, including the six clerics, their driver and two farm workers who were returning from the farm.

He said the driver had regained his freedom after his family paid N2 million in ransom.

“The driver was released on Saturday last week and has since reunited with his family in Kwatsama village. We also heard that preparations are being made for payment of the N30 million ransom to free the abducted Imams,” Ibrahim said.

He added that the bandits demanded N300,000 each and two 25-litre jerrycans of petrol for the two farm workers.

According to him, a serving senator from Zamfara State has pledged to pay the ransom for the release of the Imams.

A son of one of the abducted Imams, who pleaded anonymity, said the driver’s release had raised their hopes.

“This new development has raised our hope regarding the return of our fathers and the other religious leaders,” he said.

Meanwhile, security agencies have intensified search operations to rescue the remaining victims.

Protect Rights Of Detained Suspects, Zamfara Ulama Council Tells Federal Govt

Meanwhile, the Zamfara State Council of Ulama has called on the federal government to strengthen oversight of the arrest and detention of suspects to ensure the protection of their fundamental human rights.

The chairman of the council, Sheikh Ahmad Bin Umar Kanoma, made the call while briefing journalists in Gusau at the end of the group’s 19th meeting on Thursday.

Kanoma said the council supported the government’s efforts to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

He expressed condolences to the families of those who died in custody and prayed to Allah to grant the deceased Jannatul Firdaus.

He urged relevant authorities to ensure due process during the arrest, detention and treatment of suspects in line with human rights protections.

The Council, he said, reviewed and adopted the report of its previous sitting before deliberating on new issues.

He said the Council received a report from a committee preparing for the inauguration of its Fatawa programme and constituted an 11-member committee to finalise arrangements for its launch by Prof. A.A. Masama.

According to him, representatives of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children recently visited the forum to discuss issues concerning the Almajiri education system.

On Arabic education, Kanoma said the Council had received complaints about some long-established Arabic schools in the state, including JIGAS in Gusau and the Arabic and Islamic Studies College in Zurmi, which were reportedly renamed or relocated by the government.

He said the Council would engage the State Commissioner for Education to clarify concerns raised by parents and other stakeholders.

He recalled that the forum had appealed to the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal to establish more Arabic boarding schools to provide opportunities for students to learn Arabic and Islamic studies.

Kanoma also condoled with the family of the late Malam Bala Kaura and prayed to Allah to grant him Jannatul Firdaus.

He called on Imams and Islamic scholars across the state to intensify prayers, including Qunut, for lasting peace and an end to insecurity in Zamfara State.