Troops rescue 10 victims, foil abductions in Zamfara

GUSAU — Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have foiled two separate abduction attempts and rescued 10 victims in different parts of Zamfara State.

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

Danja said troops of Sector 2, operating in Maru Local Government Area, received information on September 27 that terrorists had abducted villagers at Kade Daba Village, Kanoma District.

He said the troops swiftly mobilised to the area and engaged the terrorists, rescuing three victims, while further exploitation of the area led to the rescue of another victim.

According to him, the operation resulted in the rescue of four victims.

In a separate operation the same day, Danja said troops conducting a picketing operation along the Tsafe-Funtua Road in Tsafe Local Government Area heard sporadic gunshots around Kwanoni.

He said the troops moved towards the location and encountered the attackers withdrawing through the surrounding high ground.

“Troops engaged the terrorists, forcing them to flee from the area in disarray,” he said.

Danja added that before the arrival of the troops, the attackers had set a Sharon vehicle ablaze while allegedly attempting to abduct its occupants.

He said the occupants escaped before the vehicle was completely engulfed by fire.

“During the incident, troops also rescued six persons from another vehicle that had lost control as a result of the sporadic gunshots,” he said.

The affected vehicle was subsequently towed off the road to facilitate the free flow of traffic, according to the statement.

The Theatre Commander, JTF North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, commended the troops for what he described as their vigilance, swift response and professionalism in protecting residents along major routes and communities within the task force’s area of responsibility.

He reaffirmed the task force’s resolve to sustain operations against terrorists in the North-West and urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information on suspicious movements and activities to the nearest security agency or through official channels.