RismadarVoice Reporters
September 16, 2027
Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 31 kidnapped persons and killed two suspected terrorists, including an alleged kingpin, during separate operations in Katsina and Kebbi states.
The operations, conducted on September 14 and 15, also led to the arrest of two suspected terrorists in Katsina State, according to the military.
The Media Information Officer of the JTF North-West, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Danja said troops of Sector 2 were deployed to Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State on September 14 after receiving reports that terrorists had abducted civilians from Unguwan Daudu and Unguwan Chibauna communities.
He said the troops pursued the attackers and engaged them in a gun battle, forcing the assailants to retreat.
According to him, the operation resulted in the rescue of 10 victims, comprising three men and seven women, including an infant.
He said the rescued victims were taken into military custody for necessary procedures.
On the same day, troops operating in Kebbi State responded to a distress call concerning the abduction of residents from Fafala Village in Kangiwa Local Government Area.
Danja said the troops, acting on intelligence, embarked on a fighting patrol towards Fafala and Dandikwa, where they encountered the suspected terrorists.
He said the troops engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to withdraw.
A subsequent search of the area led to the rescue of 21 kidnapped victims, who were later reunited with their families, according to the military.
In another operation on September 15, troops in Katsina State responded to intelligence indicating that terrorists were planning attacks on communities in Matazu and Kankara local government areas.
Danja said the troops moved to the suspected hideout and engaged the group, resulting in the death of two suspected terrorists.
He identified one of those killed as Abbah Alhassan, whom the military described as a known terrorist kingpin.
The other members of the group reportedly fled into the surrounding bush during the confrontation.
Items recovered from the hideout included 10 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle, a cutlass, camouflage clothing and Indian hemp, among other materials.
The JTF spokesman further disclosed that troops arrested two suspected terrorists around the Yantumaki area of Dan Musa Local Government Area on September 15.
He said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects were allegedly linked to a terrorist kingpin identified as Mannori.
The suspects remain in military custody and are expected to undergo further investigation, the statement said.
The JTF said the operations formed part of ongoing efforts to rescue kidnapped victims, disrupt armed groups and restrict the activities of terrorists in the North-West.
The military also urged residents to remain alert and provide security agencies with timely information about suspicious activities.
It thanked members of the public for their cooperation and continued support for ongoing security operations.
