Troops rescue 22 kidnapped victims and thwart abduction attempts in Sokoto

By Kingsley Omonobi

Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North‑West, under Operation Fansan Yamma, rescued 22 kidnapped individuals in separate actions carried out in Sabon Birni and Isa Local Government Areas of Sokoto State.

The operations also disrupted a planned mass abduction by terrorists, reinforcing ongoing efforts to protect lives and property in the region.

Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, the Media Information Officer for the operation, said the rescues demonstrate the troops’ commitment to safeguarding communities and maintaining security within the theatre of operations.

According to Danja, the first incident occurred on 18 June 2026 when troops received credible intelligence that terrorists had blocked the Sabon Birni–Shinkafi Road at Kura Mota Village and attacked two civilian vehicles, abducting several passengers. One civilian was killed during the attack.

“Acting swiftly, troops immediately mobilised to the scene and launched a coordinated pursuit operation supported by aerial surveillance,” Danja said. “The prompt response and sustained pressure mounted by the troops forced the terrorists to abandon their captives and flee.”

Seventeen kidnapped passengers were rescued and handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.

In a related operation on the same day, troops responded to a distress call from Chohi Village, where armed terrorists had attempted to abduct farmers working on their fields. Danja said troops rapidly deployed to the area and pursued the attackers along their withdrawal route.

“The aggressive pursuit led to the successful rescue of five kidnapped farmers, who were subsequently reunited with their families,” he stated.

Following the rescue missions, troops conducted confidence‑building patrols in nearby communities, including Gidan Rana and Gidan Sale villages, to reassure residents, assert control of the area and deny terrorists freedom of movement.

Danja said the operations reflected the unwavering commitment of Operation Fansan Yamma to protecting citizens, securing vulnerable communities and creating a safe environment for lawful economic and social activities.

He added that troops would continue to sustain offensive and intelligence‑driven operations aimed at neutralising terrorist threats and restoring lasting peace across the North‑West.

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