Troops of the Joint Task Force (North West) Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued 13 kidnap victims during separate operations in Anka and Kaura Namoda Local Government Areas of Zamfara State.
The operation, carried out by troops of Sector 2, also disrupted planned terrorist activities, forcing the suspects to flee and abandon their captives.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, the first operation was conducted in Bagega, Anka LGA, following credible intelligence on armed terrorists travelling on motorcycles towards Tungan Kudaduku.
“Guided by real-time surveillance, the troops pursued and engaged the terrorists with overwhelming firepower, forcing them to abandon their mission and flee.
“A follow-up search of the area led to the discovery of a makeshift terrorist camp, where five kidnapped civilians were rescued unharmed,” the statement read.
In a separate operation at Ungwan Rogo in Kaura Namoda LGA, Danja said the troops acted on intelligence reports of terrorist activities in the area.
“On contact, they engaged the terrorists in a fierce firefight, forcing them to retreat in disarray and abandon their captives. Eight kidnapped victims were rescued, and two vehicles recovered,” the statement added.
The military said all 13 rescued victims had been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further care and support.
It added that troops were continuing to dominate the general area to deny terrorists freedom of action while sustaining pressure on criminal elements operating across the North-West theatre.
“The troops continue to dominate the general area, denying terrorists freedom of action and sustaining pressure on criminal elements operating across the theatre,” the statement said.
