Soldiers rescue 25 kidnap victims in Katsina, Zamfara

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 25 kidnapped victims during separate operations in Katsina and Zamfara states.

The victims were rescued on Thursday, as troops intensified offensive operations against terrorists and criminal elements across the Joint Operations Area.

In Katsina State, troops of Sector 1, while conducting a night patrol along Kwanar Kura in Sabuwa Local Government Area, reportedly made contact with terrorists and engaged them with superior firepower.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, the terrorists fled into the surrounding bushes following the encounter.

“Troops pursued the terrorists along their escape routes and subsequently rescued two kidnapped victims who had earlier been abducted along the Dandume–Damari Road,” the statement said.

The troops also recovered two motorcycles reportedly belonging to the fleeing terrorists.

In a separate operation in Zamfara State, troops of Sector 2 rescued 23 abducted civilians during a fighting patrol on the outskirts of Wuya Town in Anka Local Government Area.

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The victims comprised three males and 20 females.

Danja said preliminary debriefing indicated that the victims were abducted from Gummi Local Government Area and had spent about three weeks in terrorist captivity.

He said the rescued victims were subsequently evacuated for medical attention and further debriefing.

The military spokesman said the operations demonstrated the commitment of troops to protecting civilians and disrupting terrorist activities in the region.

“The successful rescue operations further demonstrate the determination and responsiveness of troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA in protecting lives, disrupting terrorist activities and rescuing citizens held in captivity across the Joint Operations Area,” Danja said.

He added that troops remained determined to sustain offensive operations and deny terrorists freedom of action across the North-West.

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