Troops rescue kidnap victim, recover 126 rustled livestock in Katsina

Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued a kidnap victim, arrested suspects during a joint raid and recovered 126 rustled livestock in separate operations across Katsina State.

The military disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West), Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja.

According to the statement, troops, in collaboration with the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, responded to a distress call on July 26 following reports of terrorist activity in Karkata Village, Charanchi Local Government Area.

The troops reportedly engaged the terrorists in a gun battle, forcing them to abandon their captive.

“While advancing to the scene, the troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them with superior firepower, forcing the criminals to abandon their kidnapped victim before fleeing into the surrounding bushes,” the statement read.

The military said the victim was rescued unharmed and reunited with her family.

In another operation, troops working with personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency conducted coordinated raids in Wagin, Tundu Mobi and Chadawaki communities in Batsari Local Government Area.

The operation led to the arrest of suspects and the recovery of a locally fabricated firearm loaded with five cartridges, alongside other exhibits.

According to the statement, the suspects and recovered items have been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation.

The military also said troops acting on credible intelligence laid an ambush along a suspected terrorist route at Yankwani Village in Bakori Local Government Area, where they intercepted suspected terrorists attempting to move rustled livestock.

The suspects reportedly fled under military pressure, abandoning the animals.

“The terrorists fled under sustained pressure, abandoning 126 livestock comprising 83 cows and 43 sheep,” the statement added.

The recovered animals were handed over to the Chairman of the Peace Keeping Committee in Bakori in the presence of local government officials for identification and return to their rightful owners.

Commending the troops, the Theatre Commander of Operation FANSAN YAMMA praised their courage and vigilance, while assuring residents of Katsina State and the North-West of sustained military operations against terrorist groups in the region.

“The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, commends the gallantry and vigilance of the troops behind these successes and reassures the good people of Katsina State and the North West of the Command’s unwavering resolve to sustain offensive operations against terrorists in the region,” the statement said.