Troops rescue 23 kidnap victims, arrest four in Sokoto

By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto

SOKOTO — Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 23 kidnapped civilians and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group in separate operations across Sokoto State.

The operations, conducted on Sunday, September 20, 2026, also foiled attempted terrorist attacks and led to the recovery of six cattle allegedly rustled by terrorists.

In Wurno Local Government Area, troops responded to an attack on Sabon Gari after armed men invaded the community and opened sporadic fire, forcing residents to flee.

The troops engaged the attackers and forced them to withdraw from the community, while six kidnapped victims were rescued during the operation.

A civilian who sustained a gunshot injury was also evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.

Similarly, troops foiled an attempted terrorist movement along the Sabon Birni–Taketsaba Road around Chabe Biyu in Sabon Birni Local Government Area after acting on intelligence and establishing an ambush along the suspected route.

According to the Joint Task Force, the troops engaged the terrorists after sighting them, forcing the attackers to flee, while soldiers subsequently dominated the area to prevent them from regrouping.

Military spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said the operation demonstrated the troops’ readiness to respond swiftly to intelligence on terrorist movements and prevent attacks.

“Troops engaged the terrorists with firepower on sighting, forcing them to flee in disarray. Troops dominate the general area in order to deny the terrorists freedom of action,” Danja said.

In another operation, troops responding to a distress call over terrorist activities along the Isa–Kwanar Isa–Shinkafi Road in Isa Local Government Area engaged the attackers and forced them to retreat.

Subsequent exploitation of the area led to the rescue of 17 kidnapped civilians, bringing the total number of victims rescued in the operations to 23.

One of the rescued victims, who sustained a fracture, was evacuated to General Hospital, Isa, for medical attention.

Meanwhile, troops carried out an intelligence-led operation in Illela Local Government Area following information that suspected Lakurawa members were moving a herd of allegedly rustled cattle from Sarma Village towards Illela.

The troops established a snap checkpoint along the suspected route and intercepted the movement, arresting four suspected members of the group and recovering six cattle.

The suspects and recovered livestock were taken into military custody for further investigation, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the group who fled the scene.

Danja said the operations reflected the sustained efforts of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to disrupt terrorist activities, rescue civilians held in captivity and restrict the movement of criminal elements across the Joint Operations Area.

He said the latest successes underscored the effectiveness of intelligence-driven and proactive operations by the troops.

“The latest successes underscore the effectiveness of intelligence-driven and proactive operations being conducted by troops of Sector 2 OPFY to disrupt terrorist activities, rescue kidnapped civilians and deny terrorists freedom of movement across the Joint Operations Area,” he said.

Danja added that the troops remained committed to sustaining pressure on terrorist elements and protecting communities within their area of responsibility as security forces continued offensive and intelligence-led operations across the North-West.

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