Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 23 kidnapped civilians, disrupted separate terrorist attacks and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group during intelligence-led operations across Sokoto State.
Desk: Defence & Security
Date: 21 September 2026
Time: 08:45 WAT
Location: Sokoto State, Nigeria
The operations, conducted on September 20, included responses to attacks on communities and movements by suspected terrorists along key routes, with troops also recovering six cattle suspected to have been rustled.
Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed the development in a statement issued on September 21.
In one of the operations, troops responded to a terrorist attack on Sabon Gari in Wurno Local Government Area, where terrorists had invaded the community and fired sporadically, causing civilians to flee.
The troops engaged the attackers and forced them to withdraw from the area, while six kidnapped victims were rescued during the operation. A civilian who sustained a gunshot wound was also evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
In a separate operation around Chabe Biyu in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, troops responded to intelligence indicating an attempt by terrorists to cross the Sabon Birni–Takatsaba Road.
The troops mobilised and established an ambush along the suspected axis of advance before engaging the terrorists when they were sighted. The attackers fled the area, while troops maintained control of the general area to restrict their freedom of movement.
Also on September 20, troops responded to a distress call concerning terrorist activities along the Isa–Kwanar Isa–Shinkafi Road in Isa Local Government Area.
Following contact with the terrorists, troops engaged them and forced them to withdraw. Subsequent exploitation of the area resulted in the rescue of 17 kidnapped civilians. One rescued victim who sustained a fracture was evacuated to General Hospital, Isa, for medical attention.
In another intelligence-driven operation in Illela Local Government Area, troops acted on information concerning the movement of suspected Lakurawa members who were allegedly driving a herd of rustled cattle from Sarma Village towards Illela.
Troops established a snap checkpoint along the suspected route, resulting in the arrest of four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group and the recovery of six cows.
The suspects and recovered livestock are currently in military custody for further investigation and necessary action, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the group.
The operations bring together three elements of the Sector 2 response: rapid intervention during attacks, the rescue of civilians from immediate danger and intelligence-led disruption of suspected terrorist movements.
The latest successes, according to the statement, underscore the effectiveness of proactive operations by troops of Sector 2 OPFY in disrupting terrorist activities, rescuing kidnapped civilians and restricting terrorist movement across the Joint Operations Area.
The troops, the statement added, remain committed to sustaining pressure on terrorist elements and protecting communities within their area of responsibility.
🏷️ Tags: Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Sokoto Security, Nigerian Army, Kidnap Victims Rescued, Lakurawa, Joint Task Force North West
#ZigPressRelease #ZigDiariesDefence #Nigeria #OperationFANSANYAMMA #Sokoto #NigerianArmy #NationalSecurity
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