By Nkechi Eze
Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued nine kidnapped victims and recovered 108 livestock comprising 34 cows and 74 rams during sustained operations against suspected bandits in Kebbi State.
The operations, conducted on November 3, 2026, covered Danko general area, Sabon Tunga and Binoni villages in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of the state.
According to an official statement signed by Captain Tamuno Sinivie, Acting Media Information Officer of Joint Task Force North West, troops of Sector 2 were mobilised following a distress call reporting that suspected bandits had invaded the Danko general area, kidnapped residents and rustled cattle.
The troops immediately moved into the area and engaged the suspected bandits, forcing them to flee and abandon their captives.
Two victims, identified as Barbuga Bawashe, 26, and Barka Dakaji, 61, were subsequently rescued, while the troops recovered 34 cows and 74 rams suspected to have been rustled by the fleeing bandits.
In a related operation on the same day, troops rescued seven additional victims at Sabon Tunga and Binoni villages. The victims, who had reportedly spent several months in captivity, escaped from their abductors amid sustained military operations in the general area.
Those rescued were identified as Muhammad Dogonta, 60; Zakari Yahu, 32; Basara Sheu, 10; Adam Shehu, 12; Hatsat Umar, 14; Albaria Hamsu, 12; and Yehusa Lawali, 35.
The military disclosed that the rescued victims had been handed over to the District Head of Unashi for onward reunion with their families.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across its Joint Operations Area, urging residents to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to support ongoing operations against banditry and other criminal activities in the North-West.
