Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) North-West, operating under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have recorded significant successes in ongoing counter-terrorism operations across Katsina, Kaduna, and Zamfara States, neutralising eight suspected terrorists and rescuing three kidnapped victims.
The coordinated operations also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, three locally fabricated firearms, three motorcycles, cutlasses, and assorted charms.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Captain Tamuno Sinivie.
According to the statement, troops of Sector One responded to a distress call from farmers at Machika Dam in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State on Saturday, October 24. The troops engaged the suspected terrorists in a firefight, eliminating two of them while others escaped.
During the operation, the troops rescued a 42-year-old victim, Suleiman Umar, who had been abducted by the criminals. An AK-47 rifle with a loaded magazine and a motorcycle were also recovered from the scene.
In a separate operation conducted the same day, Sector One troops, working alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, thwarted an attempted ambush by suspected terrorists along Ungwan Iya in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Six suspects were neutralised during the encounter.
The troops had earlier responded to reports of an attack on Ungwan Mallami village, where the assailants allegedly abducted two residents. While pursuing the fleeing suspects, security forces came under attack but successfully repelled the assault with superior firepower, forcing the remaining terrorists to flee.
Items recovered during the operation included three locally fabricated firearms, two motorcycles, cutlasses, and assorted charms.
Meanwhile, troops of Sector Two rescued two additional kidnap victims during a surveillance mission in Bagega, Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State on Sunday, October 25. The victims, aged 40 and 25, are natives of Kebbi State.
The statement noted that troops sighted suspected terrorists during the patrol and immediately launched an offensive operation. Upon noticing the advancing troops, the suspects fled, abandoning the victims, who were subsequently rescued.
The rescued individuals were initially taken to Bagega Clinic for medical treatment before being moved to a military facility for further assessment and eventual reunification with their families.
The Joint Task Force stated that troops have continued patrol and search operations across the affected areas to track down fleeing suspects, rescue other kidnapped victims, and prevent further security breaches.
Commending the troops for their bravery and resilience, the Theatre Commander of Operation FANSAN YAMMA praised their swift response and professionalism. He also appealed to the public to support ongoing military operations by providing timely and credible information on suspicious movements and activities within their communities.
