Troops Free 11 Abducted Persons in Kebbi, Kill Two Bandits in Kogi
Troops of the Nigerian military have rescued 11 kidnapped persons in separate operations in Kebbi State, while two suspected bandits were found dead following an intelligence-led operation in Kogi State.
The operations were carried out by troops of Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, and Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE on October 30 and 31, 2026.
In Kebbi, troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, rescued seven kidnapped persons after pursuing suspected terrorists who had blocked the Ribah-Dirindaji road and fled with their victims.
According to a statement by the task force’s Acting Media Information Officer, Captain Tamuno Sinivie, on Sunday, October 30, troops responded to a distress call about the attempted invasion of Ribah town in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area.
The troops pursued the assailants towards Rambo village, forcing them to abandon the victims under sustained pressure.
The rescued persons were identified as Sa’adu Bala, 53; Nura Musa, 25; Dantami Yahyi, 57; Nasiru Muhammad, 21; Abdulakeem Abubakar, 23; Abdulahi Maikudi, 32; and Zaki Gambo, 56. They have since been reunited with their families.
In a separate operation on October 31, troops conducting a routine patrol in the Wasagu-Falfala area of Danko-Wasagu came under fire from suspected terrorists who had laid an ambush along their route.
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The troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the attackers to flee. During a subsequent search of the area, they discovered four kidnapped persons abandoned by the fleeing assailants.
The victims were identified as Lawali Ali, 20; Samaila Shaibu, 14; Kasimu Shaibu, 20; and Aliyu Bala, 18. They were subsequently handed over to the village head of Wasagu.
Meanwhile, troops of Sector 3, Operation WHIRL STROKE, conducted an intelligence-led ambush along the Adankolo-Apata Road in Kogi State, targeting suspected bandits operating around communities in Kabba-Bunu and Lokoja local government areas.
A statement by the task force’s Acting Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, said the operation took place on October 31 following credible intelligence about the movement of suspected terrorists along a supply route.
The troops made contact with the suspected criminals, forcing them to flee. During a subsequent search, they received information about bodies discovered towards Adankolo Forest.
On reaching the location, the troops found two suspected bandits dead and recovered a locally made pistol, one cartridge and an empty case of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The Force Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE and General Officer Commanding 5 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their performance and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
By PRNigeria
