Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued 23 kidnapped victims and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group during separate operations carried out across Sokoto State.
The operations, conducted on Sunday, September 20, also resulted in the recovery of six cattle allegedly rustled by terrorists, while troops foiled attacks in parts of Wurno, Sabon Birni and Isa Local Government Areas.
Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, disclosed the development in a statement issued to newsmen on Monday.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA Rescues Six Victims in Wurno
In Wurno Local Government Area, troops responded to an attack on Sabon Gari after terrorists invaded the community and opened fire, causing residents to flee their homes.
The soldiers engaged the attackers and forced them to withdraw from the area, allowing them to rescue six kidnapped victims during the operation, while troops also evacuated a civilian who sustained a gunshot injury to a medical facility for treatment.
The military also carried out a separate operation along the Sabon Birni-Takatsaba Road in Sabon Birni Local Government Area after receiving intelligence that terrorists were attempting to cross the road around Chabe Biyu.
Troops established an ambush along the suspected route and engaged the terrorists after sighting them, forcing the attackers to flee, after which the soldiers remained in the area to prevent them from regrouping or regaining freedom of movement.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA Rescues 17 in Isa
In Isa Local Government Area, troops responded to a distress call concerning terrorist activities along the Isa-Kwanar Isa-Shinkafi Road, where they made contact with the attackers and forced them to withdraw before searching the surrounding area.
The subsequent search led to the rescue of 17 kidnapped civilians, bringing the total number of victims rescued during the operations to 23.
One of the rescued victims sustained a fracture during the incident, and troops took the victim to General Hospital, Isa, for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, troops conducting another intelligence-driven operation in Illela Local Government Area intercepted four suspected members of the Lakurawa group who were allegedly moving rustled cattle from Sarma Village towards Illela.
The soldiers established a snap checkpoint along the suspected route, where they arrested the four suspects and recovered six cows. The suspects and recovered livestock remain in military custody as investigations continue, while troops are also working to apprehend other members of the group who fled the area.
Lieutenant Colonel Danja said the latest operations showed the role of intelligence-led and proactive military action in disrupting terrorist activities and rescuing kidnapped civilians. He added that troops would continue to maintain pressure on terrorist elements while working to protect communities across their area of responsibility.
The latest operations also highlight the continued efforts by security forces to respond quickly to intelligence received from communities and other sources, particularly in areas where terrorists and criminal groups have previously targeted civilians, travellers and rural settlements. By combining patrols, ambushes and rapid responses to distress calls, troops have continued to disrupt the movement of armed groups and limit their ability to operate freely across vulnerable communities.
The rescue of the kidnapped victims is also significant for the affected families, as the civilians had been held against their will before troops located and freed them during the separate operations. The military is expected to continue efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding their abductions and ensure that the rescued victims receive the necessary support following their release.
Meanwhile, the arrest of the four suspected Lakurawa members provides security authorities with an opportunity to investigate the group’s activities and establish whether the suspects were directly involved in recent attacks, kidnapping or cattle rustling in the area. The ongoing investigation could also help security agencies gather information that may assist efforts to locate other members of the group who escaped during the operations.
The military has continued to emphasise the importance of cooperation between security personnel and residents, as timely information about suspicious movements can help troops respond before armed groups carry out planned attacks. The latest operations therefore underline the role of intelligence gathering, community information and coordinated security responses in efforts to protect communities across Sokoto State.