Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 22 kidnapped victims and foiled separate abduction attempts in Sokoto State after responding to terrorist attacks in Sabon Birni and Isa Local Government Areas.
The military said the operations, conducted on June 18, led to the rescue of 17 passengers and five farmers who had been abducted by armed terrorists. One civilian was killed during one of the attacks.
According to the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, the first incident occurred along the Sabon Birni–Shinkafi Road at Kura Mota Village, where terrorists reportedly blocked the highway and attacked two civilian vehicles.
The attackers abducted several passengers and killed one civilian before troops arrived.
Danja said troops immediately launched a coordinated rescue mission supported by aerial surveillance after receiving reports of the attack.
“Acting swiftly, troops immediately mobilised to the scene and launched a coordinated pursuit operation supported by aerial surveillance,” he said.
The military pressure forced the terrorists to abandon their captives and flee, resulting in the rescue of 17 kidnapped passengers.
The victims were later handed over to relevant authorities.
In a separate operation on the same day, troops responded to a distress call from Chohi Village in Isa Local Government Area after armed terrorists attempted to abduct farmers working on their farmlands.
Security forces rapidly deployed to the area and pursued the attackers along their withdrawal routes.
“The aggressive pursuit led to the successful rescue of five kidnapped farmers, who were thereafter reunited with their families,” Danja added.
Following the rescue operations, troops carried out confidence-building patrols in nearby communities, including Gidan Rana and Gidan Sale, to reassure residents and prevent further attacks.
The military said the patrols were designed to maintain dominance in vulnerable areas and deny criminal groups freedom of movement.
The latest operation comes amid intensified military offensives across the North-West, where security agencies have continued efforts to dismantle terrorist networks, rescue abducted victims and improve security in rural communities.
Residents of affected communities have welcomed the rescue missions but called for a sustained military presence, particularly along major roads and farming settlements that remain vulnerable to attacks.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining pressure on criminal elements and protecting communities across the region.
“These successful rescue operations underscore the unwavering commitment of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to protecting the lives and property of the citizenry, safeguarding vulnerable communities and creating a secure environment for citizens to pursue their lawful daily activities without fear,” Danja said.
