Troops Rescue 27 Kidnap Victims, Repel Terrorists in Sokoto and Zamfara

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued 27 kidnapped victims, foiled fresh abduction attempts and recovered livestock and motorcycles during coordinated operations across Sokoto and Zamfara states.

The Joint Task Force (North West) carried out the operations on 20 and 21 July following credible intelligence on the activities of armed terrorists in several communities.

According to a statement by the Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, troops from the Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) Shagari and Sifawa responded to reports of terrorist activity in the Wanke and Kaura communities in the Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The troops confronted the armed attackers in Kaura, forcing them to retreat after a gun battle. During the operation, six kidnapped victims were rescued, while security forces also recovered livestock and two motorcycles believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing suspects.

Military authorities said the rescued victims have since been reunited with their families.

In a separate operation carried out the same day, troops stationed at FOB Gandi, working alongside the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps, rescued 10 kidnapped victims at Badanma community in Gandi Local Government Area.

The victims, including men, women and children, had reportedly escaped from their captors and were found wandering in the bush before they were taken to safety and reunited with their families through community leaders.

According to intelligence sources, the operation was conducted at about 5:00 p.m. after troops received actionable intelligence on the movement of suspected terrorists.

The troops reportedly overpowered the attackers with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee into nearby forests.