Troops Rescue 25 Kidnap Victims in Katsina, Zamfara

Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 25 kidnapped victims during separate operations in Katsina and Zamfara states.

The victims were rescued on Thursday as troops intensified offensive operations against terrorists and other criminal elements across the Joint Operations Area.

In Katsina State, troops of Sector 1 encountered suspected terrorists during a night patrol along Kwanar Kura in Sabuwa Local Government Area.

The troops reportedly engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to flee into surrounding bushes.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, the troops pursued the fleeing terrorists along their escape routes.

The operation subsequently led to the rescue of two victims who had earlier been abducted along the Dandume-Damari Road.

The troops also recovered two motorcycles reportedly abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.

In a separate operation in Zamfara State, troops of Sector 2 rescued 23 abducted civilians during a fighting patrol on the outskirts of Wuya Town in Anka Local Government Area.

The rescued victims comprised three males and 20 females.

Danja said preliminary debriefing indicated that the victims were abducted from Gummi Local Government Area and had spent approximately three weeks in terrorist captivity.

He added that the victims were evacuated for medical attention and further debriefing following their rescue.

According to the military spokesman, the operations underscored the commitment of troops to protecting civilians, disrupting terrorist activities and rescuing citizens held in captivity across the North-West.

“The successful rescue operations further demonstrate the determination and responsiveness of troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA in protecting lives, disrupting terrorist activities and rescuing citizens held in captivity across the Joint Operations Area,” Danja said.

He added that troops would sustain offensive operations aimed at denying terrorists freedom of action across the region.