- Safiu Kehinde
Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, also known as Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 10 kidnap victims in separate operations conducted in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.
This was made known in a statement issued on Thursday by the task force’s Media Information Officer, Lt. Col, Aliyu Danja.
According to Danja, five out of the ten victims were rescued during a foiled ambush attempt by suspected terrorists in Sokoto state on Wednesday.
The remaining five victims rescued in different operations carried out in Kebbi and Zamfara states on Tuesday.
‘On 19 August 2026, troops conducting a patrol in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State encountered a terrorist ambush.
‘The troops responded swiftly and decisively, forcing the terrorists to flee in disarray.
‘During the encounter, 5 civilians were rescued and subsequently reunited with their families, while 2 motorcycles abandoned by the terrorists were recovered.
‘Earlier, on 18 August 2026, troops acting on intelligence regarding 3 kidnapped victims conducted a search and rescue operation in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
‘The operation led to the successful rescue of all 3 victims, who were subsequently profiled and handed over to the appropriate local authorities.
‘Similarly, troops responded swiftly to reported terrorist activities in the Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State on 18 August 2026.
‘The rapid mobilization of the troops compelled the terrorists to flee the area, abandoning two captives.’ The statement partly read.
Meanwhile, some of the victims, who had sustained gunshot wounds during their ordeal, were immediately evacuated to a medical facility for urgent treatment.
Danja said efforts are currently ongoing to track and neutralize the fleeing terrorists.