By Nkechi Eze
Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), have rescued six kidnapped victims during separate operations in Kaduna and Katsina States.
The victims were rescued on Thursday, September 17, 2026, following intelligence-driven operations in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State and the Dandume-Damari axis of Dandume Local Government Area, Katsina State.
According to an official statement signed by the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, troops of Sector 1 OPFY in Kaduna State responded to intelligence concerning the movement of kidnapped victims by suspected terrorists in Igabi.
The troops made contact with the terrorists, who abandoned the victims and fled upon sighting the advancing soldiers.
Three victims, identified as Enock Hussaini, Abba Dauda and Kalif Haruna, were rescued. The victims were confirmed to have been abducted from Gidan Gulbi Village on September 11 and were subsequently debriefed and reunited with their families.
In Katsina State, troops of Sector 2 responded to a distress call over the abduction of civilians along the Dandume-Damari axis.
The troops swiftly mobilised to the area and engaged the terrorists with overwhelming firepower, forcing them to flee into the surrounding bushes and abandon their victims.
The soldiers pursued the fleeing terrorists and rescued three other victims identified as Abubakar Abdulkadir, 25; Mansir Idris, 26; and Abubakar Aliyu, 21.
A black Golf vehicle belonging to the victims was also recovered during the operation, while the rescued civilians were escorted and released to continue their journey.
The Joint Task Force said the latest successes underscored the continued efforts of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to protect civilians, disrupt terrorist activities and deny criminal elements freedom of action across its Joint Operations Area.
The task force commended members of the public for their support and urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest security agency.
