Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued 27 kidnap victims, foiled fresh abduction attempts and recovered livestock and motorcycles during coordinated operations against terrorists in Sokoto and Zamfara states.
The successful operations, carried out between July 20 and 21, 2026, underscored the sustained offensive by troops against terrorist and criminal elements operating across the North-West.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, troops of the Forward Operating Bases in Shagari and Sifawa acted on credible intelligence and stormed Wanke and Kaura communities in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The troops reportedly engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle at Kaura community, forcing the criminals to flee under superior firepower. During the operation, six kidnapped victims were rescued, while livestock and two motorcycles were recovered. The victims were later reunited with their families.
In a separate operation on the same day, troops operating at Gandi, in collaboration with the State Security Community Guard Corps, rescued 10 kidnapped victims who had escaped from their abductors and were found wandering in the bush around Badanma community in Gandi Local Government Area. The victims, comprising men, women and children, were handed over to community leaders before being reunited with their families.
On July 21, troops of Combat Team 12 responded swiftly to a distress call after terrorists blocked the Gummi–Sokoto highway in an attempt to abduct travellers. The troops engaged the attackers, forcing them to retreat and successfully rescued 11 kidnapped persons. One motorcycle was also recovered during the operation.
The Theatre Command commended the troops for their vigilance, professionalism and swift response, describing the operations as another significant step in ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist and criminal networks across the North-West.
It also appreciated members of the public for providing timely and credible intelligence, urged citizens to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies in the fight against terrorism and other violent crimes.
