Troops rescue three kidnap victims, arrest six terrorist logistics suppliers

Troops of Operations Fansan Yamma and Hadin Kai have rescued three kidnap victims, foiled an attempted abduction, arrested six suspected terrorist logistics suppliers and neutralised a terrorist in separate operations across Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi and Yobe states.

The troops also recovered 10 new motorcycles allegedly meant for terrorists, as well as weapons, ammunition and other logistics items, according to separate military statements issued on Tuesday by the Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt Col Aliyu Danja and the Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt Mohammed Goni.

In Zamfara State, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma responded to a distress call on July 20 after terrorists attempted to abduct civilians from a residence in Shiyan Abiyola, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.

The swift intervention of the troops forced the assailants to flee without carrying out the abduction, while troops subsequently dominated the area to prevent further attacks.

In a separate operation on July 19, troops on patrol in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State rescued three kidnap victims who escaped from a terrorist hideout during a heavy downpour while their captors were asleep.

The victims were abducted on July 14 while working on their farms in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The victims were subsequently handed over to the appropriate authorities for reunification with their families.

Meanwhile, troops of Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, arrested six suspected logistics suppliers allegedly linked to a terrorist network in Kebbi State and recovered 10 new Honda motorcycles.

The operation began when troops intercepted a white commercial bus along the Biu-Kangiwa axis in Arewa Local Government Area of the state on July 20.

Two suspects, identified as Salisu Mohammad, 35, and Bashir Musa, 36, were arrested while transporting the motorcycles, which were concealed in cartons.

Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the motorcycles were being transported to a known terrorist leader identified as Mallam Gehowa, who operates around the Amogoro axis.

Acting on intelligence obtained from the initial arrests, troops conducted a follow-up operation that led to the arrest of four additional suspects allegedly sent by the terrorist group to receive the consignment.

The six suspects, the recovered motorcycles and the commercial bus were handed over to the Department of State Services, Kebbi State Command, for further investigation.

In Yobe State, troops of Sector 2, Operation Hadin Kai, neutralised a suspected Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province terrorist and recovered weapons and other logistics items after foiling an attempt by the insurgents to collect illegal levies from communities.

The troops, acting on credible intelligence, engaged suspected terrorists travelling in two Volkswagen Golf vehicles and motorcycles along the Paya Kafiya axis on July 19.

During the ensuing firefight, one of the vehicles was immobilised, and its driver neutralised, while four other terrorists reportedly fled into the bush with gunshot wounds.

Follow-up operations along the Paya Kafiya–Garin Gada axis on July 20 led to the recovery of the abandoned vehicle, 25 rounds of belted PKT ammunition, one loaded AK-47 magazine, 15 empty PKT ammunition cases, assorted drugs and mechanical tools believed to support terrorist logistics activities.

The military authorities commended the troops for their vigilance, professionalism and swift response, while urging residents to continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies.

They said the operations demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-driven offensives in disrupting terrorist networks, their sources of funding and logistics across the North-West and North-East theatres.