Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled a terrorist attack in Sokoto State and rescued two kidnapped victims during separate operations across Sokoto and Kaduna.
The operations, conducted on September 12 and 13, also led to the arrest of a suspected illicit drug peddler along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road.
The JTF’s Media Information Officer, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
In Sokoto, troops of Sector 2 responded to a distress call after terrorists attacked Unguwan Lalle in Sabon Birni Local Government Area on September 13.
The troops engaged the attackers and forced them to retreat while rescuing two kidnapped victims.
Danja said, “Troops made contact with the terrorists, engaging them with firepower and forcing them to withdraw in disarray, rescuing two kidnapped victims in the process.”
The troops later received intelligence that the terrorists were attempting to regroup and moved to the area, where they engaged the attackers in another gun battle.
“Troops swiftly mobilised to the location, where they re-established contact and engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to withdraw,” Danja said.
During a subsequent search of the area, the troops recovered 157 rounds of PKT ammunition, phone batteries and other items believed to be linked to the terrorists.
Meanwhile, troops of Sector 1 arrested a man identified as Yohana Musa during a stop-and-search operation along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road on September 12.
Musa, who was travelling to Birnin Gwari, was allegedly found with a large quantity of illicit drugs and other substances.
“The suspect and recovered items are currently in troops’ custody for further investigation,” Danja said.
The Joint Task Force said the operations demonstrated its continued efforts to disrupt terrorist activities and restrict the movement of criminal groups across the North-West.
Danja said the Theatre Commander commended the troops for their “gallantry and professionalism” and remained committed to denying terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area.
The JTF also urged residents to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations.
