Troops Rescue 27 Kidnap Victims, Foil Terrorists’ Abduction Attempts in Sokoto, Zamfara
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued 27 kidnapped victims, foiled multiple abduction attempts, and recovered livestock and motorcycles during a series of counter-terrorism operations across Sokoto and Zamfara states.
The successful operations, conducted between July 20 and 21, 2026, formed part of the ongoing military offensive against terrorist groups operating in Nigeria’s North-West.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Media Information Officer of Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, troops of the Forward Operating Bases in Shagari and Sifawa acted on credible intelligence on July 20 and deployed to Wanke and Kaura communities in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State following reports of terrorist activities.
The statement said the troops encountered the terrorists at Kaura community and engaged them in a fierce gun battle, forcing the criminals to flee under sustained military firepower.
During the operation, six kidnapped victims were rescued, while troops also recovered livestock and two motorcycles believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing terrorists. The rescued victims were later reunited with their families.
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In a separate operation on the same day, troops operating in Gandi, in collaboration with the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps, rescued 10 kidnap victims who had escaped from captivity and were found wandering in a forest near Badanma community in Gandi Local Government Area.
The victims, comprising men, women and children, were handed over to community leaders before being reunited with their families.
On July 21, troops of Combat Team 12 responded to a distress call after terrorists reportedly blocked the Gummi-Sokoto highway in an attempt to abduct motorists and other road users.
The troops swiftly confronted the attackers, forcing them to abandon their operation after a pursuit. Eleven kidnapped persons were rescued during the operation, while one motorcycle was also recovered.
The latest operations bring the total number of rescued victims to 27 within two days of sustained military operations in the theatre.
Commending the troops, the Theatre Command praised their vigilance, professionalism and prompt response, describing the operations as a reflection of the military’s commitment to protecting lives and dismantling terrorist networks across the North-West.
The command also appreciated residents for providing timely and credible intelligence, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with useful information as ongoing operations intensify against terrorists and other criminal elements in the region.
By PRNigeria
