Soldiers rescue 16 civilians, repel terrorist attacks in Zamfara, Sokoto

Troops of Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 16 civilians from separate attempted abductions in Zamfara State and repelled a terrorist attack in Sokoto State.

The military disclosed this in a statement signed by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, and shared with newsmen in Sokoto on Saturday evening.

According to the statement, troops of Sector 2 responded to a distress call in the early hours of Friday, August 28, following an attempted terrorist attack on a community in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Danja said the terrorists fled the area following the swift intervention of the troops, adding that four civilians were rescued.

He said, “The terrorists, who attempted to abduct residents from the community, fled following the swift intervention of the troops. Four civilians were successfully rescued.”

The military spokesman further disclosed that troops later responded to information about terrorist activities around Kwanoni Village in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.

He said the troops engaged the terrorists in a firefight after they attempted to abduct passengers travelling in two vehicles, forcing the attackers to withdraw and abandon their victims.

“Consequently, all 12 passengers were rescued, while no casualty was recorded among the troops,” Danja stated.

In a separate incident in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, terrorists attacked around Jabo Village but were repelled by troops who responded with superior firepower.

Danja said two civilians sustained gunshot wounds during the attack and were promptly evacuated for medical treatment, while troops continued to dominate the area to prevent the terrorists from regaining freedom of action.

He said the latest operations demonstrated the determination of troops to protect civilians and frustrate terrorist activities across the Joint Operations Area.

“The successful rescue of the civilians and repulsion of the terrorist attack further demonstrate the determination and responsiveness of troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA in protecting lives and frustrating terrorist activities,” he added.