Troops of the Nigerian Army under the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, on Tuesday, September 15, neutralised a suspected kingpin, and rescued 31 abducted victims during separate operations in Katsina and Kebbi states.
The Media Information Officer of the JTF North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday said the troops also arrested two suspected terrorists in Katsina state.
Danja said troops of Sector 2 were deployed to Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina state on Monday, September 14 following reports that terrorists had abducted civilians from Unguwan Daudu and Unguwan Chibauna communities.
According to him, the troops immediately launched a hot pursuit of the attackers and engaged them in a gun battle, forcing the terrorists to flee.
He said the operation resulted in the rescue of 10 victims, comprising three males and seven females, including an infant.
“The rescued victims are in troops’ custody for further action,” Danja stated.
The military spokesman said troops operating in Kebbi State also responded to a distress call on September 14 over the abduction of civilians from Fafala Village in Kangiwa Local Government Area.
He said the troops, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a fighting patrol towards Fafala and Dandikwa communities, where they made contact with the terrorists.
“Troops engaged them in a heavy exchange of fire, forcing the terrorists to withdraw in disarray,” he said.
Danja added that subsequent exploitation of the area led to the rescue of 21 kidnapped victims, who were later reunited with their families.
The JTF spokesman further disclosed that troops recorded another major success in Katsina state after receiving intelligence about plans by terrorists to attack communities in Matazu and Kankara local government areas.
He said the troops mobilised to the suspected hideout and engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, killing two of them.
“One of the terrorists neutralised was Abbah Alhassan, a known terrorist kingpin,” Danja stated.
He added that other members of the group fled into the surrounding bush during the encounter.
Items recovered from the terrorists’ hideout included 10 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle, a cutlass, camouflage clothing and Indian hemp, among other items.
“Preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspects were associated with a terrorist kingpin known as Mannori,” he said.
He added that the suspects remained in military custody and would undergo further investigation.
The JTF said the operations demonstrated its continued efforts to rescue kidnapped victims, disrupt terrorist networks and deny armed groups freedom of action across the North-West.
It urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.
“The Joint Task Force appreciates members of the public for their continued support and urges them to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest security agency,” Danja said.
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