Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (JTF NW OPFY), have rescued 31 kidnapped victims, neutralised two terrorists, including a known kingpin, and arrested two suspected terrorists in separate operations in Katsina and Kebbi states.
The operations were conducted on September 14 and 15, 2026, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Media Information Officer of JTF NW OPFY, Lt Col Aliyu Danja.
Danja said that on September 14, troops of Sector 2 responded to reports of the abduction of civilians from Unguwan Daudu and Unguwan Chibauna communities in Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State.
He said the troops mobilised to intercept the terrorists and engaged them in a gun battle during a hot pursuit, resulting in the rescue of 10 victims comprising three males and seven females, including an infant.
According to him, the rescued victims were taken into the custody of the troops for further action.
The military spokesman said troops also rescued 21 kidnapped victims in Kebbi State on the same day after responding to a distress call 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, where they made contact with the terrorists.
‘Troops engaged the terrorists in a heavy exchange of fire, forcing them to withdraw in disarray,’ he said.
Danja added that subsequent exploitation of the area led to the rescue of the 21 victims, who were later reunited with their families.
He said on September 15, troops acting on intelligence about plans by terrorists to attack communities in Matazu and Kankara local government areas of Katsina State, mobilised towards an identified hideout.
The troops reportedly engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, killing two of them, including Abbah Alhassan, described as a known terrorist kingpin.
‘Other terrorists fled into the surrounding bush,’ Danja said.
Items recovered from the area included 10 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle, a cutlass, camouflage clothing and Indian hemp, among other items.
The spokesman also said troops arrested two suspected terrorists in the Yantumaki general area of Dan Musa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
He said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects were associated with a terrorist kingpin identified as Mannori.
According to him, the suspects were in custody for further investigation.