Troops rescue kidnapped woman, foil ransom exchange in Kebbi

Troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued a woman abducted from her farm in Kebbi State after foiling a planned ransom exchange between her abductors and her family in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of the state.

The operation, according to the military, followed credible intelligence on the planned payment of ransom for the victim, who had been kidnapped from her farm sometime last month.

Olaniyi Osoba, acting spokesperson for the troops, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, saying troops moved swiftly to the location after receiving information about the planned ransom transaction.

The statement noted that the operation was designed to disrupt the exchange and secure the safe release of the hostage without allowing the criminals to collect the ransom.

According to military, the troops encountered the kidnappers as they advanced towards the location, prompting the criminals to engage them in an attempt to prevent the operation.

It, however, said the troops’ superior firepower forced the terrorists to abandon their position and flee, leaving the kidnapped woman behind.

“The engagement forced the criminals to retreat in disarray, abandoning the hostage, who was subsequently secured by our troops,” the military said.

The victim, it added, was found unharmed and immediately taken into the care of the troops before being safely transported to reunite with her family in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area.

“Following the rescue, the troops conducted a thorough search and exploitation of the route used by the fleeing terrorists in a bid to ensure that the area was completely secured and to prevent the criminals from regrouping or launching a counter-attack”, the statement added.

It said the troops subsequently returned safely to their base after completing the operation.

In a separate operation, troops of Sector 2 also carried out routine clearance operations and dominance patrols across parts of Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The military said the patrols were conducted to maintain a strong security presence and restrict the freedom of movement of terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements operating in the area.

It disclosed that the patrols were completed without any incident, stressing that the continued presence of troops in vulnerable communities was aimed at preventing criminal groups from establishing operational bases or freely moving through the area.

The military assured residents that troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA would sustain offensive and intelligence-led operations against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements in Kebbi State and neighbouring areas.

“We will keep the fire on everywhere the terrorists are. We will dismantle them to secure Kebbi State and Nigeria,” the military said.

It urged residents to remain vigilant and strengthen cooperation with security agencies by providing timely and credible information on the activities and movements of criminal groups.

According to the statement, effective collaboration between residents and security forces remains critical to preventing attacks, rescuing kidnapped victims and disrupting criminal operations before they are carried out.

“We urge members of the public to continue sharing credible information with security agencies. Such intelligence is critical to thwarting the activities of criminal elements and securing our communities,” it noted.

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