Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 23 kidnapped victims, foiled multiple terrorist attacks and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group in separate operations across Sokoto State.
The Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt.-Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the operations were conducted on September 20 in Wurno, Sabon Birni, Isa and Illela Local Government Areas of the state.
The latest successes come amid sustained military offensives across the North-West aimed at degrading terrorist networks, rescuing kidnapped victims and curbing cattle rustling and other criminal activities. Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have intensified intelligence-led operations in recent months to deny armed groups freedom of movement across the region.
According to the statement, troops responded to a terrorist attack on Sabon Gari in Wurno LGA, where gunmen invaded the community and fired sporadically, causing residents to flee. The troops engaged the attackers, forcing them to retreat and rescuing six kidnapped victims. A civilian injured during the attack was evacuated for medical treatment.
In separate operations in Sabon Birni and Isa LGAs, troops thwarted an attempted terrorist movement along the Sabon Birni–Takatsaba Road and engaged another group of terrorists operating along the Isa–Kwanar Isa–Shinkafi Road. The encounters forced the terrorists to flee, while troops rescued 17 kidnapped civilians during the Isa operation. One victim who sustained a fracture was evacuated to the General Hospital, Isa.
The statement added that troops also intercepted suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group moving rustled cattle from Sarma Village towards Illela. Four suspects were arrested and six cows recovered, while efforts are ongoing to track down other fleeing members of the group.
The military said the operations reflect the effectiveness of its intelligence-driven strategy to disrupt terrorist activities and protect communities across the Joint Operations Area.
