Troops of the Joint Task Force (North West), operating under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 13 kidnapped victims and thwarted planned terrorist operations during coordinated offensives in Anka and Kaura Namoda Local Government Areas of Zamfara State.
The successful missions, executed by personnel of Sector 2, forced fleeing terrorists to abandon their captives and retreat under sustained military pressure.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Joint Task Force’s Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja.
According to the statement, the first operation followed credible intelligence indicating that heavily armed terrorists riding motorcycles were advancing toward Tungan Kudaduku in Bagega, Anka Local Government Area.
Acting on the intelligence, troops tracked the movement of the suspects and launched an aggressive assault.
“Guided by real-time surveillance, the troops pursued and engaged the terrorists with overwhelming firepower, forcing them to abandon their mission and flee.
“A follow-up search of the area led to the discovery of a makeshift terrorist camp, where five kidnapped civilians were rescued unharmed,” the statement read.
In another operation at Ungwan Rogo in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, security forces responded to fresh intelligence indicating the presence of terrorists in the area.
The troops reportedly engaged the criminals in a fierce gun battle, compelling them to flee while leaving behind those they had held captive.
“On contact, they engaged the terrorists in a fierce firefight, forcing them to retreat in disarray and abandon their captives. Eight kidnapped victims were rescued, and two vehicles recovered,” the statement added.
The military said all 13 rescued victims had been safely evacuated and handed over to the appropriate authorities for medical attention, documentation and other necessary support.
It added that operations across the North-West theatre remain ongoing, with troops maintaining pressure on armed groups and consolidating gains recorded in the latest offensives.
“The troops continue to dominate the general area, denying terrorists freedom of action and sustaining pressure on criminal elements operating across the theatre,” the statement said.
The latest rescue operations form part of the military’s sustained campaign to dismantle terrorist networks, secure vulnerable communities and restore peace across Zamfara and other states in the North-West.
(Ripples)