Trending 
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued 27 kidnap victims, foiled fresh abduction attempts and recovered rustled livestock and motorcycles during separate operations in Sokoto and Zamfara states.
The Joint Task Force (North West) said the operations, carried out between July 20 and 21, also disrupted terrorist activities in parts of Sokoto State and along the Gummi–Sokoto highway.
In a statement, the task force’s Media Information Officer, Aliyu Danja, said troops from the Forward Operating Bases in Shagari and Sifawa acted on intelligence reports of terrorist activities in Wanke and Kaura communities in Shagari Local Government Area on July 20.
According to him, the troops engaged the attackers in Kaura, forcing them to retreat under sustained military fire. Six kidnap victims were rescued, while rustled livestock and two motorcycles were recovered. The rescued victims have since been reunited with their families.
“Troops made contact with the terrorists in Kaura community and engaged them with superior firepower, compelling the criminals to flee in disarray.
“Six kidnap victims were rescued in the operation, alongside the recovery of livestock and two motorcycles. The victims were subsequently reunited with their families,” he said.
Danja added that in a separate operation, troops operating in Gandi, alongside the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps, rescued 10 kidnap victims who escaped from their captors. The victims, comprising men, women and children, were found wandering in the bush near Badanma community in Rabah Local Government Area before being handed over to community leaders and reunited with their families.
He said another operation on July 21 saw troops of Combat Team 12 respond to a distress call after terrorists reportedly blocked the Gummi–Sokoto highway in an attempt to abduct travellers.
The troops engaged the attackers, pursued them and rescued 11 kidnap victims while recovering one motorcycle.
The theatre command commended the troops for their vigilance, professionalism and swift response, describing the operations as a demonstration of their commitment to protecting lives.
It also urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence, noting that ongoing operations were steadily weakening terrorist and criminal networks across the North-West.
“We appreciate members of the public for their sustained support and prompt provision of credible information, and urge citizens to remain vigilant and continue cooperating with security agencies as ongoing operations progressively degrade terrorist and criminal networks across the theatre,” he added.
