Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled an attempted mass abduction by terrorists in Unguwar Rogo Village, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, rescuing nine civilians, including an infant.
According to an official statement signed by the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North West) Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, the incident occurred on August 16, 2026, after troops received a distress call that terrorists had infiltrated the community and attacked civilians travelling along a local route.
The terrorists were believed to have been led by suspected kingpin Mallam Shuaibu.
Preliminary intelligence indicated that the attack might have been carried out in reprisal for the recent arrest of suspected collaborators linked to the terrorist network. The suspects had earlier been intercepted by troops while attempting to procure motorcycles and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) allegedly in support of terrorist activities.
The terrorists reportedly concealed themselves in a millet farm along the route before opening fire on passing vehicles, causing some drivers to lose control and veer off the road.
Responding to the distress call, troops of Sector 2 swiftly moved to the area and engaged the terrorists, denying them the opportunity to abduct the civilians.
The terrorists subsequently abandoned the operation and fled into the surrounding forest in the face of the troops’ response.
The troops rescued nine civilians, including an infant, following the engagement, while two women who sustained gunshot wounds during the attack were evacuated for medical attention and are receiving treatment.
Lieutenant Colonel Danja said Operation FANSAN YAMMA remained committed to denying terrorists and other criminal elements the freedom to attack innocent citizens.
He added that the Joint Task Force would sustain pressure on terrorist networks while taking necessary measures to protect lives and restore lasting peace and security across the North West region.
