The Chairman of the Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Nura Umar Abdullahi, and four other kidnap victims have escaped from terrorists’ captivity and been received by troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
The five victims escaped in the early hours of Thursday in the general area of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt Col Aliyu Danja, the victims escaped during an intelligence-led military operation targeting a suspected terrorists’ location in the area. 
Danja said the victims were received by troops deployed in the vicinity after regaining their freedom.
“Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANAN 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 Thursday in the general area of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area,” the statement said.
Abdullahi was abducted from his residence in Bungudu town in July 2026. The Theatre Command had previously issued a statement concerning his abduction.
The military said the victims were provided with security cover and evacuated to a military medical facility after they were rescued.
“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.
The victims are expected to undergo further assessment as part of the military’s routine process following their recovery from captivity.
The Joint Task Force also disclosed that one of the five victims had already been reunited with their family, while arrangements were being made to reunite the remaining victims with their families and the Zamfara State Government.
The Theatre Command commended the victims for their conduct during their captivity and their efforts to regain their freedom.
“The Theatre Command commends the courage, resilience and determination of the victims in regaining their freedom after a prolonged period in captivity,” the statement said.
It also praised the troops involved in receiving and securing the victims following their escape.
The command described the return of the victims as “a welcome relief” to their families, residents of Bungudu Local Government Area and the wider Zamfara State.
“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,” the statement said.
The development comes as security forces continue military operations aimed at disrupting terrorist activities and improving security in parts of Zamfara State and the wider North-West.
The Theatre Command said troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA would sustain clearance and dominance operations across the general area to disrupt terrorist activities and protect communities.
“Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA will sustain clearance and dominance operations across the general area to disrupt terrorist activities and protect communities, and remain committed to securing the safe return of any other persons still held or missing,” Danja said.
Earlier in July, SaharaReporters reported that suspected bandits abducted the Chairman of the Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Bungudu, after attacking his residence in a late-night raid that left four security personnel dead.
The attack occurred in the Zango area of Bungudu town, less than 20 kilometres from Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
According to residents, the gunmen stormed the council chairman’s residence, where they engaged security personnel in a fierce gun battle before abducting the chairman.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the assailants killed two police officers and two vigilantes assigned to protect the chairman’s residence.
“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.
