Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have rescued 14 kidnapped victims during a counter-terrorism operation in Katsina State, reinforcing ongoing efforts by security forces to combat kidnapping and banditry across Nigeria’s North-West region.
The victims, made up of six males and eight females, regained their freedom after soldiers responded to intelligence reports on the movement of armed terrorists and their captives around the Madaci Forest area of Sabuwa Local Government Area.
The rescue operation was carried out on Tuesday, August 18, following the deployment of troops to the location identified through credible intelligence.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, said troops engaged the terrorists after making contact with them in the forest.
“Following exploitation of the area, troops successfully rescued 14 victims comprising six males and eight females,” Danja said.
According to him, the armed criminals abandoned the victims and fled into nearby bushes after coming under pressure from the advancing troops.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the rescued persons were abducted from different communities within the Dandume, Bakori and Funtua general areas of Katsina State.
The victims were later handed over to the relevant local authorities for further procedures and reunification with their families.
Danja described the operation as evidence of the military’s continued commitment to protecting lives and disrupting criminal activities across the region.
He added that security forces would maintain pressure on terrorist and bandit groups operating within the North-West.
“The Theatre Command reassures the public that troops will continue to sustain pressure on terrorist elements and intensify operations to safeguard communities across the North West,” he said.
The military also urged residents to support ongoing security operations by providing timely and credible information that could assist troops in tracking criminal elements and preventing future attacks.
