Army Rescues 27 Hostages After Gun Battle with Terrorists in Katsina
Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation FANSAN YANMA have rescued 27 kidnapped victims, including a six-month-old baby, following an encounter with suspected terrorists in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The rescue operation was carried out by troops of the 17 Brigade under the Joint Task Force (North West) after receiving a distress call from residents of Gamji community at about 12:25 p.m. on October 16, 2026, reporting the presence of suspected terrorists in the area.
Security sources said the troops immediately mobilised to the community but discovered that the suspects had fled into nearby bushes with their captives before their arrival.
The soldiers subsequently launched a pursuit through Gangare Village towards Kamba Village, where they reportedly made contact with the fleeing suspects at about 6:05 p.m.
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The troops engaged the suspected terrorists in a gun battle, deploying superior firepower that forced the assailants to abandon their captives and flee into the surrounding bushes.
A search of the area led to the rescue of all 27 victims, comprising 15 males and 12 females, including the six-month-old infant.
The rescued victims were later handed over to the village head of Gamji, Alhaji Falalu Suleiman, after preliminary investigations, the sources said.
According to the sources, no casualties were recorded among the troops during the operation, while the casualty status of the suspected terrorists remained unknown.
The sources added that troops had sustained aggressive patrols across the area to prevent further criminal activities, restrict the movement of suspected terrorists and improve the security of residents.
The operation highlights the role of timely community intelligence and rapid military response in efforts to tackle kidnapping and other security threats across Nigeria’s North-West region.
By PRNigeria
