Troops rescue kidnapped victims, recover rustled livestock in Katsina
Abdullateef Fowewe
Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (JTF NW OPFY), have achieved notable successes in Katsina State, rescuing nine kidnapped victims, recovering 56 rustled livestock, and arresting a suspected terrorist in separate intelligence-driven operations.
This was revealed in a statement issued on Friday by Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force (North West) Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
According to a statement, in one operation, troops of Sector 2 on fighting patrol rescued nine kidnapped victims—comprising three women, four men, and two children in Faskari Local Government Area.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted by terrorists on 9 July 2026 along the Tsafe–Kuchere Road in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
“The victims disclosed that they escaped from the terrorists’ enclave after their captors fell asleep, before being intercepted and rescued by the troops,” the statement reads.
The rescued victims are in safe custody and are being processed for reunification with their families.
In a separate incident, troops responded to terrorists attempting to rustle livestock in Bakori Local Government Area.
The criminals fled after an exchange of fire, abandoning their haul.
“On sighting the troops, the terrorists opened fire but were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the gallant troops and fled into the surrounding bush, abandoning 56 rustled livestock, comprising four cattle and fifty-two sheep.”
The recovered livestock are in troops’ custody pending handover to local authorities.
Additionally, troops arrested a suspected terrorist in Danmusa Local Government Area.
Items recovered from the suspect are believed to have links with terrorist activities, and he is undergoing further investigation.
The Theatre Commander commended the troops for their professionalism and reaffirmed the commitment to sustained operations against criminal elements in the North West.
