Soldiers rescue 23 kidnapped victims, arrest four suspected Lakurawa members in Sokoto

Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have rescued 23 kidnapped victims and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group during separate operations across Sokoto State.

The operations, conducted on Sunday, also saw the troops foil attempted terrorist attacks in Wurno, Sabon Birni and Isa Local Government Areas of the state.

The Media Information Officer of JTF North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt-Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Danja said troops of Sector 2 responded to a terrorist attack on Sabon Gari in Wurno LGA, where terrorists invaded the community and opened sporadic fire, forcing residents to flee.

He said the troops engaged the attackers and forced them to withdraw, while six kidnapped victims were rescued during the operation.

“During the operation, troops rescued six kidnapped victims. One civilian who sustained a gunshot wound during the attack was evacuated to a medical facility for treatment,” he said.

According to him, troops also responded to intelligence about an attempted movement by terrorists along the Sabon Birni–Takatsaba Road around Chabe Biyu in Sabon Birni LGA.

He said the troops established an ambush along the terrorists’ likely axis of advance and engaged them on sighting, forcing the attackers to flee.

“Troops engaged the terrorists with firepower on sighting, forcing them to flee in disarray. Troops dominate the general area in order to deny the terrorists freedom of action,” Danja stated.

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The military spokesman further disclosed that troops rescued 17 kidnapped civilians after responding to a distress call concerning terrorist activities along the Isa–Kwanar Isa–Shinkafi Road in Isa LGA.

He said the troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them, forcing them to withdraw.

“Exploitation of the area led to the rescue of 17 kidnapped civilians. One of the rescued victims, who sustained a fracture, was immediately evacuated to the General Hospital, Isa, for medical attention,” he said.

Danja added that troops also arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group in Illela LGA following intelligence on their movement while allegedly driving a herd of rustled cattle from Sarma Village towards Illela.

He said troops established a snap checkpoint along the suspected route, leading to the arrest of the four suspects and recovery of six cows.

“The suspects and recovered livestock are currently in military custody for further investigation and necessary action, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the group,” he said.

The JTF spokesman said the latest operations demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-driven and proactive military operations aimed at disrupting terrorist activities and rescuing kidnapped civilians.

He added that troops would continue to sustain pressure on terrorist elements and protect communities within their area of responsibility.