A member of the House of Representatives representing the Maru/Bungudu Federal Constituency in Zamfara State, Hon. Abdulmalik Zubairu, popularly known as Zannan Bungudu, has urged residents of his constituency to withdraw their savings and buy weapons to defend themselves against bandit attacks.

The lawmaker made the remarks during an interview with DCL Hausa on Sunday while reacting to the recent abduction of the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area, Nura Abdullahi, and the killing of four members of his security team by bandits.

“I advise the people I represent to withdraw their money and buy guns for self-defence. Whatever they can afford, even if it is an AK-47, AK-49, or any other weapon, they should contribute money, get the weapons if they know where to buy them, and protect their communities,” he said.

Zubairu acknowledged that his call was contrary to the Constitution but argued that the continued killing of innocent people had left communities with difficult choices.

“I know this is against the Constitution, but killing innocent people is also against the Constitution. If you are faced with two difficult situations that are both illegal, it is not bad if you choose one to save lives,” he said.

When asked whether his comments reflected a lack of confidence in the administrations of President Bola Tinubu and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, the lawmaker said both governments were making efforts to tackle insecurity.

According to him, despite those efforts, ordinary people must also take responsibility for protecting themselves.

“They are doing their best. That is why it is important for ordinary people to also defend themselves and protect their communities,” he said.

The lawmaker argued that bandits are fewer in number than the people they attack, adding that their main advantage is their access to sophisticated weapons.

“The bandits are not more than the people. What gives them the upper hand is that they have better weapons. If the people also have weapons, they can defend themselves,” he said.

He further suggested that communities could work with security authorities by registering any weapons acquired for self-defence.

“The people can even go to the authorities and explain why they have the weapons. They can register them, stating that this weapon is in this person’s custody for the protection of this community. It is painful to continue watching innocent people being killed,” he added.

The lawmaker’s comments came a day after bandits attacked the residence of the Bungudu Local Government Chairman, Nura Abdullahi, in the early hours of Saturday.

During the attack, the gunmen reportedly killed four members of the chairman’s security detail, comprising two police officers and two local vigilantes, after engaging them in a gun battle.

The attackers then abducted Abdullahi along with his wife, children, and some other family members and took them into the forest

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has assured Nigerians that the commission remains committed to conducting credible elections in which every valid vote will count.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), in Minna, Niger State, Amupitan said despite the pressures facing the commission, it would ensure that the will of the electorate prevailed.

“Our determination is to see ordinary Nigerians go out and vote with confidence that their votes will be counted and reflected in the outcome of elections,” he said.

In his remarks, Abdulsalami called on Nigerians to support INEC in its efforts to deliver credible elections, saying sustained public confidence in the electoral process is vital to the country’s democracy.

Meanwhile, INEC on Sunday concluded it’s nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise ahead of the 2027 general election, urging eligible Nigerians who participated to await the display of the register.

The commission had fixed July 26, 2026, as the deadline for the exercise, which covered fresh voter registration, transfer of registration, correction of personal details and replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

In a reminder issued on Sunday, INEC urged eligible Nigerians to complete their registration before the close of the exercise.

“Time is running out, but there’s still an opportunity to make your vote count. Register to vote or update your voter information before the close of the Continuous Voter Registration today,” the commission said.

The electoral body had earlier extended the registration by two weeks to enable more eligible Nigerians to register ahead of the 2027 elections.

The CVR began with online pre-registration in August 2025 before physical registration commenced later that month.

INEC said the first phase, which ended in December 2025, recorded 2,572,054 completed registrations, comprising 1,503,832 online registrations and 1,068,222 physical registrations.

The second phase, which ran from January 5 to April 17, 2026, added 3,748,704 new registrations nationwide, while the third and final phase ended on Sunday.

The United States has condemned the killing of members of the family of Plateau-based cleric, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, describing the attack as horrific and urging Nigerian authorities to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

In a statement shared on X on Thursday, the US Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs expressed condolences to the victims’ families and called for stronger measures to prevent further attacks on vulnerable communities across Nigeria’s Middle Belt.

“The United States strongly condemns the horrific killing of members of Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo’s family in Plateau State, Nigeria. The continued violence targeting Christian communities and other vulnerable populations in Nigeria’s Middle Belt is deeply alarming,” the bureau said

The US said it had already engaged Nigerian officials on the worsening security situation, stressing that urgent action was needed to curb recurring attacks and hold perpetrators accountable.

“As I discussed last week with Nigerian officials, we must do more to prevent violent acts. The perpetrators must be held accountable, and urgent action is needed to strengthen security and protect Christians and other vulnerable communities,” the statement added.

The bureau reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to working with the Nigerian government to combat terrorism and violent extremism, stressing that Christians and other Nigerians should be able to practise their faith without fear of violence.

The statement followed the July 12 attack on Kum community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, where nine members of Rev. Dachomo’s extended family, including a two-month-old baby, were killed.

According to the cleric, the attackers, believed to be armed Fulani militias, asked for him by name before opening fire on his relatives.

Dachomo, who serves as Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, said his family had repeatedly been targeted because of his outspoken criticism of the violence in Plateau State.

He recalled that his grandmother and an uncle were also killed in previous attacks, adding that days after burying his relatives, he received a written death threat from the same group, warning that he would be their next target.