Two kidnapped persons have been rescued by troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, during a counter-terrorism operation in Sokoto State.
The operation, carried out on September 13, also saw troops repel suspected terrorists who attacked Unguwan Lalle in Sabon Birni Local Government Area.
The JTF Media Information Officer, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, adding that the troops were mobilised after receiving a distress call about the attack.
He said the soldiers confronted the terrorists and succeeded in forcing them to flee, leading to the rescue of the two victims.
“Troops made contact with the terrorists, engaging them with firepower and forcing them to withdraw in disarray, rescuing two kidnapped victims in the process,” he said.
Danja said security personnel later received information that the attackers were trying to regroup in the area.
The troops returned to the location and engaged the terrorists again in a gun battle.
“Troops swiftly mobilised to the location, where they re-established contact and engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to withdraw,” Danja said.
A search of the area afterwards led to the recovery of 157 rounds of PKT ammunition, phone batteries and other items.
In a separate operation in Kaduna State, troops from Sector 1 arrested a suspected drug dealer along the Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road on September 12.
The suspect, identified as Yohana Musa, was stopped during a routine search while travelling towards Birnin Gwari.
According to Danja, troops discovered a large quantity of suspected illicit drugs and other substances in his possession.
“The suspect and recovered items are currently in troops’ custody for further investigation,” Danja said.
The JTF described the operations as part of its ongoing efforts to weaken terrorist and criminal networks operating across the North-West.
Danja said the Theatre Commander commended the troops for their “gallantry and professionalism” and reaffirmed his commitment to restricting the activities of terrorists and other criminal groups.
The commander, he said, “remains resolute in denying terrorists and criminal elements freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area.”
The task force also called on residents to assist security personnel by providing credible information that could help prevent attacks and support ongoing operations.
“Members of the public are urged to continue providing timely and credible information to security forces in support of ongoing operations,” Danja said.
