Troops of Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued nine kidnapped victims, recovered 56 rustled livestock and arrested a suspected terrorist during separate intelligence-driven operations in Katsina State.
According to an official signed statement by the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North West) Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, the operations were conducted across different parts of the state as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and curb criminal activities in the North West.
The statement said troops of Sector 2, while on a fighting patrol in Faskari Local Government Area, rescued nine kidnapped victims comprising three women, four men and two children.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims were abducted by terrorists on 9 July 2026 along the Tsafe–Kuchere Road in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The victims reportedly escaped from the terrorists’ enclave after their captors fell asleep before they were intercepted and rescued by the troops.
The rescued victims are currently in safe custody and are being processed for reunification with their families.
In a separate operation, troops acting on credible intelligence responded to an attempt by terrorists to rustle livestock in Bakori Local Government Area. The terrorists reportedly opened fire on sighting the troops but were forced to flee into the surrounding bush following sustained military pressure.
The troops recovered 56 rustled livestock, comprising four cattle and 52 sheep, which are being kept in military custody pending their handover to the appropriate local authorities.
The statement further disclosed that troops arrested a suspected terrorist during routine operational activities in Danmusa Local Government Area. Preliminary exploitation of items recovered from the suspect indicated possible links to terrorist activities, while investigations are ongoing.
The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, commended the troops for their professionalism, vigilance and resilience in sustaining pressure on criminal elements across the theatre.
He reaffirmed the Joint Task Force’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations in collaboration with other security agencies and law-abiding citizens until terrorism and other forms of criminality are decisively defeated across the North West.
