Army rescues 10 kidnapped victims in Zamfara

ABUJA — Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY) have foiled two separate abduction attempts and rescued 10 victims in different locations across Zamfara State.

The Media Information Officer, Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Danja said troops 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 operations led to the rescue of another victim, bringing the number rescued in the operation to four.

In a separate incident on the same day, Danja said troops conducting a picketing operation along the Tsafe-Funtua road in Tsafe Local Government Area heard sporadic gunshots ahead of their position at Kwanoni.

According to him, the troops moved towards the location and encountered the terrorists withdrawing through the surrounding high ground.

He said the troops engaged the terrorists, forcing them to flee the area.

Danja said the terrorists had, before the arrival of the troops, set a Sharon vehicle ablaze while attempting to abduct its occupants.

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

He added that the troops also rescued six persons from another vehicle that lost control following the sporadic gunshots.

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

The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, commended the troops for their vigilance, swift response and professionalism in protecting citizens along major routes and communities within the task force’s area of responsibility.

The commander reaffirmed the resolve of the operation to sustain offensive operations against terrorists and deny them freedom of action across the North-West.

He also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information on suspicious movements and activities to the nearest security agency or through appropriate official channels.