Troops Rescue 27 Kidnap Victims, Foil Fresh Terror Attack

(The rescued victims. Photo Credit: Punch News)

During coordinated operations in the states of Sokoto and Zamfara, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have recovered motorcycles and rustled livestock, prevented new kidnapping attempts, and rescued 27 kidnap victims.

The operations, which took place between July 20 and 21, 2026, also interfered with terrorist activity along the Gummi–Sokoto route and in some areas of Sokoto State.

This was revealed in a statement released on Wednesday by Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Media Information Officer.

According to the statement, troops from the Forward Operating Bases in Shagari and Sifawa, acting on credible intelligence, responded to reports of t3rrorist activities in Wanke and Kaura communities in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State on July 20.

The troops engaged the t3rrorists in a fierce gun battle in Kaura community, forcing them to flee under intense military firepower.

Danja said the operation led to the rescue of six kidn@p victims, while rustled livestock and two motorcycles were also recovered.

He explained that troops made contact with the criminals in Kaura community and overpowered them with superior firepower, forcing them to scatter and flee.

According to him, six kidn@p victims were freed in the operation, along with the recovery of livestock and two motorcycles, and the victims were later reunited with their families.

In a separate operation on the same day, troops operating in Gandi, working alongside the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps, rescued 10 kidn@p victims who had managed to escape from their captors.

The victims, made up of men, women and children, were discovered wandering in the bush around Badanma community in Rabah Local Government Area before being handed over to community leaders and reunited with their families.

On July 21, troops of Combat Team 12 responded swiftly to a distress call after t3rrorists blocked the Gummi–Sokoto highway in a bid to abduct commuters.

The troops engaged and pursued the att@ckers, successfully rescuing 11 kidn@p victims and recovering one motorcycle.

Commending the troops for the successful operations, Danja praised their professionalism and dedication to protecting lives, stating that the Theatre Command commends their vigilance, professionalism and swift response in ensuring the safe rescue of the victims.

He also appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information, expressing appreciation to members of the public for their sustained cooperation.

He urged citizens to remain vigilant and continue working with security agencies, noting that ongoing operations are progressively weakening t3rrorist and criminal networks across the theatre.

The latest successes come amid sustained military offensives under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, aimed at dismantling t3rrorist and b@ndit networks across Nigeria’s North-West region.