Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued two kidnapped civilians and recovered 94 rustled livestock in separate operations across Kaduna and Kano States, while disrupting terrorist activities and protecting communities and livelihoods in the North-West.
In Kaduna State, troops of Sector 1 encountered terrorists during a clearance operation in Kachia Local Government Area on 25 August. The terrorists attempted to ambush the advancing troops but were forced to withdraw following the troops’ response. A motorcycle abandoned during the retreat was subsequently recovered.
The same day, troops responded to a distress call concerning the abduction of three civilians and livestock rustling around Hayin Babangida in Igabi Local Government Area.
The troops tracked the terrorists and engaged them, resulting in the rescue of two female victims who were reunited with their families. The third victim, a male, sustained a gunshot wound inflicted by the terrorists and died while being evacuated for medical attention.
In Kano State, troops responded on 25 August to reports of terrorist activity and livestock rustling in Gwarzo Local Government Area. The troops pursued the fleeing terrorists and made contact with them, forcing them to abandon the stolen livestock and withdraw under pressure.
Further exploitation on 26 August produced additional recoveries, bringing the total livestock recovered to 94, comprising 57 cows and 37 sheep. The animals were subsequently returned to their rightful owners in the presence of representatives of security agencies and local government authorities.
The operations demonstrate the broader security stakes surrounding terrorist and criminal activity in the North-West, where attacks increasingly threaten not only lives but also farming, livestock ownership, mobility and household livelihoods.
The rapid response to the abduction incident also underscores the importance of timely distress reporting and intelligence in enabling troops to intervene before criminal activity becomes more deeply entrenched.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA will continue intelligence-driven operations, aggressive patrols and rapid responses across its Joint Operations Area to disrupt terrorist and criminal networks while protecting communities and their economic assets.
The Joint Task Force commended members of the public for their cooperation and urged residents “to sustain the provision of timely and credible information on suspicious activities to security forces.”
Such community cooperation remains an important component of efforts to deny hostile elements freedom of action and strengthen security across the North-West.
