Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have rescued 23 kidnapped victims and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group during separate operations in Sokoto State.
The operations, conducted on Sunday, also saw the troops foil attempted attacks in Wurno, Sabon Birni and Isa Local Government Areas of the state.
The Media Information Officer of the JTF North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt-Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.
Danja said troops of Sector 2 responded to an attack on Sabon Gari in Wurno LGA, where terrorists reportedly invaded the community and opened sporadic fire, forcing residents to flee.
According to him, the troops established an ambush along the attackers’ likely route and engaged them, forcing them to withdraw.
“Troops engaged the terrorists with firepower on sighting, forcing them to flee in disarray. Troops dominate the general area in order to deny the terrorists freedom of action,” Danja stated.
He said six kidnapped victims were rescued during the operation, while a civilian who sustained a gunshot wound was evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
Danja added that troops also responded to intelligence concerning the movement of terrorists along the Sabon Birni-Takatsaba Road around Chabe Biyu in Sabon Birni LGA.
In Isa LGA, he said troops responded to a distress call about terrorist activities along the Isa-Kwanar Isa-Shinkafi Road and engaged the attackers.
According to him, the terrorists were forced to withdraw, while troops subsequently rescued 17 kidnapped civilians in the area.
“Exploitation of the area led to the rescue of 17 kidnapped civilians. One of the rescued victims, who sustained a fracture, was immediately evacuated to the General Hospital, Isa, for medical attention,” he said.
The JTF spokesman further disclosed that troops arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa group in Illela LGA.
He said the arrests followed intelligence about the suspects’ movement while allegedly driving a herd of rustled cattle from Sarma Village towards Illela.
Danja said troops established a snap checkpoint along the suspected route, leading to the arrest of the four suspects 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,” he said.
Danja said the operations demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-driven and proactive military operations aimed at disrupting terrorist activities and rescuing kidnapped civilians.
He added that troops would continue to sustain pressure on terrorist elements and protect communities within their area of responsibility.