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Bello Abdullahi, elder brother of the abducted Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area in Zamfara State, Nura Abdullahi, has died from gunshot injuries sustained during a bandit attack on the chairman’s residence.

The attack occurred on July 25 in Bungudu town, where armed bandits abducted the local government chairman and two other residents after killing four security personnel attached to him.

Bello, a former treasurer in the Zamfara State Ministry of Finance, was reportedly among residents who rushed to the chairman’s residence to assist during the attack when he was shot.

His death was confirmed on Monday by Jamilu Bungudu, a media aide to Abdulmalik Zubairu, who represents the Bungudu/Maru Federal Constituency.

With Bello’s death, the number of people killed in connection with the attack has risen to five.

The local government chairman, Nura Abdullahi, and the two other abducted residents remain in captivity as of the time of filing this report.

The kidnapped victims were identified as Halliru Soja, a staff member of the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, and Hussaini Naira, a Point-of-Sale operator.

The four security personnel killed during the attack were identified as Inspector Basiru Lawal, Police Constable Hamza Muhammad and two vigilantes, Nura ADC and Ibrahim Baare.

Bungudu Local Government Area, located about 21 kilometres from Gusau, has experienced repeated attacks by armed bandits in recent years.

In April, gunmen reportedly riding more than 50 motorcycles attacked Yarkatsinan Laka village, killing two police officers, two health workers and a patient after raiding a security outpost and a clinic.

Other rural communities in the area, including Karakkai and Gwargwabe, have also suffered repeated attacks, with homes reportedly destroyed, residents killed and food storage facilities destroyed.

The continued violence has further worsened the humanitarian situation in communities across the local government area.

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The Media Team of the Sultan of Sokoto has denied reports claiming that the Sultan, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s re-election ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by Prince Bashir Adefaka, the media team described the reports circulating on some social media platforms as false, misleading and inconsistent with the Sultan’s longstanding non-partisan role.

According to the statement, it is impossible for the Sultan to publicly endorse any political candidate because of his position as a father figure to all Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation.

“Our simple response to the report is that it is not possible for the Sultan, as the father of all, to make such a statement, either publicly or in any other forum,” the statement read.

The media team urged Nigerians to disregard what it called a malicious attempt to drag the revered traditional and religious leader into partisan politics for selfish interests.

It stressed that the Sultan’s role as both a monarch and religious leader requires him to remain impartial while offering guidance, prayers and fatherly counsel to all Nigerians, including politicians who seek his blessings.

The statement noted that the Sultan’s palace remains open to everyone without discrimination, irrespective of political, religious or ethnic background.

It further warned against linking the Sultan to the political ambitions or campaigns of any individual ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that such claims should be rejected.

Reaffirming the Sultan’s commitment to national unity, the media team said he remains dedicated to promoting peace, stability and harmonious coexistence among Nigerians.

The statement also called on journalists and social media users to verify information before publishing or sharing reports capable of misleading the public or dragging traditional and religious institutions into political controversies.

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The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), has expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for approving a salary increase of between 30 and 80 per cent for personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, describing the decision as a major boost to troop welfare and morale.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the minister said the new salary structure, which takes effect from September 1, 2026, will benefit about 250,000 military personnel across the services.

Under the new package, personnel from the rank of Private to Staff Sergeant will receive an 80 per cent salary increase, those from Warrant Officer to Colonel will get a 50 per cent increase, while senior officers above the rank of Colonel will receive a 30 per cent pay rise.

General Musa said the structure of the salary review demonstrates the President’s commitment to prioritising the welfare of frontline troops.

Describing the approval as a significant morale booster, the minister said it reinforces the Tinubu administration’s commitment to security sector reform.

“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has once again demonstrated unwavering leadership and empathy for the brave men and women who put their lives on the line daily to preserve the peace and territorial integrity of our nation. By raising the annual personnel cost from N660 billion to N924 billion, the President has matched words with concrete action, proving that the welfare of our troops remains paramount,” he said.

“This subversion of financial hardship for our officers and soldiers will resonate across every theatre of operation; from those confronting insurgency in the North East to troops tackling banditry, oil theft, and kidnapping across the country. On behalf of the entire defence structure, we assure Mr. President and the Nigerian public that this gesture will be met with renewed vigour, uncompromising discipline, and heightened operational effectiveness.”

The minister urged officers and men of the Armed Forces to regard the improved conditions of service as a renewed call to duty by intensifying efforts to neutralise security threats, protect civilian lives and restore peace across the country.

He also reaffirmed the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to President Tinubu’s agenda of modernising military equipment, strengthening technological capacity and improving the welfare of military personnel and their families.

President Tinubu approved the salary increase in recognition of the sacrifices of military personnel in the fight against banditry, kidnapping and terrorism. The new salary structure, announced on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, raises the annual military wage bill from ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion.