- Safiu Kehinde
Troops of Sector 2 Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled multiple kidnap attempts with a Federal Polytechnic Rector rescued in Zamfara State.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the task force’s Media Information Officer, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja.
According to Danja, the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when troops responded to a distress call on terrorist activities around Tsohon-Tasha Street, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.
The terrorists reportedly invaded the residence of the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda, Dr Aminu Yusuf, killing his private security guard and injuring another resident, before attempting to abduct him and his family.
This was however foiled by the troops who on arrival engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to flee and abandon their victims.
The Rector and his family were rescued unharmed.
In another operation on the same day, troops on night patrol received a distress call from Tungan Dorawa community in Barkeji Village, reporting an ongoing attempt by terrorists to abduct civilians.
While the difficult terrain slowed down the troops’ initial movement, they however closed in on the fleeing suspects, engaged them, and foiled the abduction.
Simultaneously, troops engaged another group of terrorists in the same community attempting to kidnap a prominent businessman, Alhaji Azaria.
Prompt intervention forced the terrorists to flee and abandon their mission. Alhaji Azaria, along with 21 other civilians abducted from neighbouring houses, were rescued.
In a related development, troops arrested a suspected terrorist informant, Falalu Yusuf (45), believed to have collaborated with the terrorists.
He has been handed over to relevant authorities for investigation and further necessary action.