By Nkechi Eze
Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled planned terrorist attacks and rescued 31 kidnapped victims during separate operations in Katsina and Kebbi states.
According to a statement by the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, the operations were conducted on September 14 and 15, 2026.
In Katsina State, troops of Sector 2 responded to reports of the abduction of civilians from Unguwan Daudu and Unguwan Chibauna communities in Funtua Local Government Area and launched a hot pursuit of the terrorists.
The troops engaged the terrorists in a gun battle, forcing them to flee and rescuing 10 victims, comprising three males and seven females, including an infant.
Similarly, troops operating in Kebbi State responded to a distress call following the abduction of civilians from Fafala Village in Kangiwa Local Government Area.
Acting on credible intelligence, the troops conducted a fighting patrol towards Fafala and Dandikwa, where they engaged the terrorists in a heavy exchange of fire, forcing them to withdraw in disarray.
The subsequent exploitation of the area led to the rescue of 21 kidnapped victims, who were later reunited with their families.
In another operation in Katsina on September 15, troops moved against terrorists planning attacks on communities in Matazu and Kankara Local Government Areas.
The troops engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, neutralising two, including a known terrorist kingpin identified as Abbah Alhassan, while others fled into the surrounding bush.
The troops recovered 10 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle, a cutlass, camouflage clothing and Indian hemp, among other items.
Also on the same day, troops arrested two suspected terrorists in the Yantumaki general area of Dan Musa Local Government Area. Preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects were associated with a terrorist kingpin known as Mannori.
The Joint Task Force said the operations demonstrated its continued efforts to rescue victims, disrupt terrorist networks and deny terrorists freedom of action across the North West.
It urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest security agency.
