Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA (JTF NW OPFY), have rescued 22 kidnapped victims in separate operations in Sabon Birni and Isa Local Government Areas of Sokoto State, the military said on Saturday.
According to the task force, the operations were carried out on June 18 following intelligence reports and distress calls regarding terrorist activities in the affected communities.
The first operation took place along the Sabon Birni–Shinkafi Road at Kura Mota Village, where terrorists reportedly blocked the highway, attacked two civilian vehicles and abducted several passengers. One civilian was killed during the attack.
Acting on credible intelligence, troops swiftly mobilised to the area and launched a coordinated pursuit operation supported by aerial surveillance. The military said the sustained pressure forced the terrorists to abandon their captives and flee.
As a result, 17 kidnapped passengers were rescued and handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
In a separate incident the same day, troops responded to reports of an attempted abduction of farmers at Chohi Village in Isa Local Government Area.
The terrorists had reportedly attacked farmers working on their farmlands and attempted to take them away. Following a distress call, troops rapidly deployed to the area and pursued the attackers along their withdrawal route.
The operation led to the rescue of five kidnapped farmers, who were subsequently reunited with their families.
Following the successful rescues, troops conducted confidence-building patrols in nearby communities, including Gidan Rana and Gidan Sale villages, to reassure residents and strengthen security presence in the area.
The military said the operations underscore the commitment of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to protecting lives and property, safeguarding vulnerable communities and denying terrorists freedom of action across the North-West theatre.
