Troops Kill Eight Terrorists, Rescue Kidnap Victims In Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara

Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have neutralised eight suspected terrorists and rescued three kidnapped victims during coordinated operations in Katsina, Kaduna and Zamfara States.

The operations also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, three locally fabricated guns, three motorcycles, cutlasses and assorted charms.

The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Captain Tamuno Sinivie, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.

According to the statement, troops of Sector One, acting on a distress call from farmers at Machika Dam in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State on Saturday, October 24, engaged suspected terrorists in a gun battle, neutralising two of them while others fled.

The troops also rescued a 42-year-old man, Suleiman Umar, who had been kidnapped by the terrorists, and recovered an AK-47 rifle with a magazine containing ammunition, as well as a motorcycle.

In a separate operation on the same day, troops of Sector One, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force, foiled a suspected terrorist ambush along Ungwan Iya in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, neutralising six suspected terrorists.

The statement explained that the troops had responded to a distress call over an attack on Ungwan Mallami village, where the suspected terrorists reportedly abducted two people.

While pursuing the fleeing attackers, the troops came under fire but responded with superior firepower, neutralising six of the suspects and forcing others to flee.

The troops recovered three locally fabricated guns, two motorcycles, cutlasses and assorted charms during the operation.

Similarly, troops of Sector Two rescued two kidnapped victims during a surveillance operation in Bagega, Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on Sunday, October 25.

The victims, aged 40 and 25, are indigenes of Kebbi State.

According to the statement, the troops spotted suspected terrorists during surveillance and immediately launched a fighting patrol.

The suspects reportedly fled on sighting the advancing troops, abandoning the two victims, who were subsequently rescued.

The victims were taken to Bagega Clinic for medical attention before being moved to a military base for further assessment and eventual reunion with their families.

The statement added that troops were sustaining patrols and search operations across the affected areas to apprehend the fleeing suspects, rescue other kidnapped victims and prevent further attacks.

The Theatre Commander of Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, commended the troops for their gallantry and resilience in responding to the attacks.

He also urged members of the public to support ongoing military operations by providing timely and credible information on suspicious movements and activities in their communities.