Troops Rescue 22 Kidnap Victims in Sokoto, Foil Terrorists’ Abduction of Farmers
Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North-West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 22 kidnapped victims in separate operations across Sabon Birni and Isa Local Government Areas of Sokoto State, reinforcing ongoing efforts to combat banditry and terrorism in the North-West region.
The successful operations, carried out on June 18, 2026, followed swift military responses to distress calls and credible intelligence on terrorist activities in the affected communities.
According to the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, the first operation was launched after troops received intelligence that armed terrorists had blocked the Sabon Birni–Shinkafi Road at Kura Mota Village and attacked two civilian vehicles.
The attackers reportedly abducted several passengers during the incident and killed one civilian before fleeing into the surrounding area.
Upon receiving the report, troops immediately mobilised to the scene and initiated a coordinated pursuit operation supported by aerial surveillance assets.
The sustained pressure mounted by the ground and air forces forced the terrorists to abandon their captives and flee, leading to the successful rescue of 17 kidnapped passengers.
The rescued victims were subsequently handed over to the appropriate authorities for medical attention and further necessary action.
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In a related operation on the same day, troops responded to another attack at Chohi Village in Isa Local Government Area, where armed terrorists attempted to abduct farmers working on their farmlands.
Acting on a distress call, security forces swiftly deployed to the area and pursued the fleeing attackers along their withdrawal route.
The aggressive pursuit compelled the terrorists to abandon their victims, resulting in the rescue of five farmers who were later reunited with their families.
Following the operations, troops conducted confidence-building patrols in neighbouring communities, including Gidan Rana and Gidan Sale villages, to reassure residents, strengthen security presence, and deny terrorists freedom of movement.
Military authorities said the operations underscore the determination of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to protect lives and property, safeguard vulnerable communities, and restore normalcy across the North-West theatre.
The military also reiterated its commitment to sustaining offensive and intelligence-driven operations against terrorist and bandit groups while urging residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA has intensified counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations across the North-West in recent months, recording several successes in the rescue of kidnap victims, recovery of rustled livestock, neutralisation of criminal elements, and disruption of terrorist networks operating in the region.
By PRNigeria
