Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have rescued 25 people held by terrorists in separate operations across Katsina and Zamfara states, including 23 civilians who had allegedly spent about three weeks in captivity.
The Joint Task Force North-West carried out the operations in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina and Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara, according to its Media Information Officer, Lt Col Aliyu Danja.
In Katsina, troops from Sector 1 encountered terrorists during a night patrol around Kwanar Kura in Sabuwa LGA.
Danja said the troops engaged the attackers with heavy firepower which forced them to retreat into nearby bushes. The soldiers pursued the fleeing terrorists along their escape routes and found two kidnapped victims who had earlier been abducted on the Dandume-Damari Road.
Two motorcycles were also recovered from the fleeing terrorists during the operation.
The second rescue took place in Zamfara, where Sector 2 troops were conducting a fighting patrol around the outskirts of Wuya Town in Anka LGA.
The operation led to the recovery of 23 abducted civilians, comprising three males and 20 females.
Preliminary debriefing of the rescued group indicated that they were abducted from Gummi Local Government Area and had been held in terrorist captivity for approximately three weeks.
The victims were subsequently evacuated for medical attention and further questioning, according to the task force.
The two operations highlight the military’s continued use of patrols and offensive engagements to disrupt armed groups operating across communities in the North-West.
Danja said the successful rescues demonstrated the determination and responsiveness of Operation Fansan Yamma troops in protecting civilians and disrupting terrorist activities within its joint operations area.
He added that the task force would sustain offensive operations aimed at restricting terrorists’ freedom of movement.
The latest rescue operation also involved the pursuit of fleeing attackers rather than the victims being recovered through a separate negotiation or release arrangement, based on the account provided by the task force.
In Katsina, the troops’ encounter with the terrorists during the night patrol triggered the pursuit that led to the recovery of the two victims. In Zamfara, the 23 civilians were located during a fighting patrol near Wuya Town.
The rescued persons are now undergoing medical attention and further debriefing in Zamfara, while the two victims recovered in Katsina have also been taken into the care of the authorities.
The task force did not disclose the identities of the rescued civilians or provide details of their medical condition.
It also did not state whether any terrorist was killed or arrested during either operation.
Danja, however, said the troops were determined to sustain pressure on terrorist groups and deny them the freedom to operate across the Joint Operations Area.
The 25 rescues represent a significant recovery of civilians from terrorist captivity across two states, with the Zamfara operation accounting for the larger group of 23 victims.
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