Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have rescued nine kidnapped victims, recovered 56 rustled livestock and arrested a suspected terrorist during separate intelligence-led operations in Katsina State.
The Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
Danja said the operations formed part of the military’s sustained offensive against terrorism and other criminal activities across the North-West.
According to him, troops of Sector 2, while on a fighting patrol in Faskari Local Government Area, rescued nine kidnapped victims made up of three women, four men and two children.
He explained that preliminary investigations revealed that the victims were abducted by terrorists on July 9, 2026, along the Tsafe–Kuchere Road in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
“The victims disclosed that they escaped from the terrorists’ hideout after their captors fell asleep before they were intercepted and rescued by troops,” Danja said.
He added that the victims are currently in safe custody and are being processed for reunification with their families.
In another operation, Danja said troops acted on credible intelligence and responded to an attempt by terrorists to rustle livestock in Bakori Local Government Area.
He stated that the terrorists opened fire on sighting the troops but were forced to flee into the surrounding bush after being overwhelmed by the troops’ superior firepower.
According to him, the troops recovered 56 rustled animals comprising four cattle and 52 sheep, which are being kept in military custody pending their handover to the appropriate authorities.
Danja further disclosed that troops arrested a suspected terrorist during routine operations in Danmusa Local Government Area.
He said preliminary examination of items recovered from the suspect indicated possible links to terrorist activities.
“The suspect is currently in military custody and undergoing further investigation,” he added.
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 commitment of the Joint Task Force to continue intelligence-driven operations in collaboration with other security agencies and law-abiding citizens until terrorism and other forms of criminality are decisively defeated in the North-West.
