Troops Rescue 31 Kidnap Victims, Kill Two Terrorists in Katsina, Kebbi
Thirty-one people abducted by terrorists in Katsina and Kebbi States are back with their families after troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, carried out separate rescue operations.
Among those rescued in Katsina was an infant, highlighting the vulnerability of civilians caught up in the wave of abductions affecting communities in parts of the North West.
The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement made available to Radio Nigeria.
According to him, troops of Sector 2 responded on September 14, 2026, after civilians were abducted from Unguwan Daudu and Unguwan Chibauna communities in Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State.
He said the troops pursued the attackers and engaged them in a gun battle before rescuing ten victims, including the infant.
A similar operation unfolded in Kebbi State after troops received a distress call over the abduction of residents from Fafala Village in Kangiwa Local Government Area.
Lieutenant Colonel Danja said troops engaged the terrorists in a heavy exchange of fire, forcing the attackers to flee and allowing the troops to rescue twenty-one kidnapped persons.
The rescued victims have since been reunited with their families.
The operation also recorded a major breakthrough against the armed groups. On September 15, troops acting on credible intelligence reportedly engaged terrorists around the Matazu-Kankara axis of Katsina State, killing two of them.
Among those killed was a suspected terrorist kingpin identified by the military as Abbah Alhassan.
Troops also recovered ammunition, a motorcycle, weapons and camouflage clothing from the scene.
In a separate operation in Dan Musa Local Government Area, two suspected informants linked to another terrorist kingpin were arrested and are currently undergoing investigation.
The Joint Task Force has urged residents to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with timely and credible information, stressing that cooperation between communities and security forces remains important in efforts to protect lives and restore safety.
