The Nigerian Army on Monday said troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, killed two suspected bandits and rescued kidnapped victims during coordinated operations carried out in Sokoto and Katsina states.
The operations, conducted over two days, began in Sokoto State on June 21, 2026, and culminated in Katsina State on June 22, where two terrorists were neutralised.
The Media Information Officer, Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said the sustained offensive against terrorism and banditry in the North-West had recorded significant successes.
Giving details of the operation, Danja said, “The first of these decisive encounters occurred on 21 June 2026, when armed terrorists attempted to infiltrate Tureta town in Sokoto State.
“The vigilant troops engaged the criminals, forcing them to abandon their sinister mission and flee.
“Following this initial encounter, aerial surveillance tracked the fleeing terrorists to Sulubawa Gidan Kare village, where they were observed moving with abducted civilians and rustled livestock.
“Despite encountering a hastily mounted ambush by the retreating terrorists, the troops displayed exceptional courage and superior firepower, fighting through the ambush and compelling the criminals to scatter.
“This led to the successful rescue of the abductees, the recovery of the rustled cattle and the seizure of two motorcycles used by the terrorists.”
In a related development, Danja disclosed that troops, acting on intelligence, raided a known terrorist hideout in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State in the early hours of June 22.
“The surprise assault completely overwhelmed the terrorists. During the ensuing firefight, two terrorists were neutralised, while several others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds,” he said.
According to him, troops recovered one PKT assault rifle, one AK-47 rifle with ammunition, three motorcycles, mobile communication devices, rustled livestock and other items used by the terrorists to sustain their operations.
He assured residents that the military would sustain aggressive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, denying criminals freedom of action and restoring lasting peace and security across the North-West.
(The Whistler)