Troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled an alleged terrorist attack and recovered a large herd of rustled cattle in Asarara Kaura community, Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The operation, according to the military, followed actionable intelligence indicating that armed terrorists had infiltrated the community, terrorised residents and rustled a significant number of livestock.
The troops were said to have swiftly mobilised after receiving the intelligence in an effort to prevent the attackers from escaping with the stolen cattle.
According to a statement on the operation, the troops intercepted the fleeing terrorists along the Tambuwal-Gadaichi-Gummi Road axis.
The military said the terrorists engaged the troops in an attempt to break through the cordon and escape with the livestock.
“Upon sighting the advancing forces, the terrorists engaged the troops in a violent attempt to escape,” the statement said.
The troops reportedly responded with superior firepower, forcing the terrorists to abandon the cattle and flee into the surrounding bushes.
“Unable to withstand the assault, the terrorists fled into the surrounding bushes with varying degrees of gunshot wounds, abandoning the entire herd of rustled cattle,” the military said.
The operation reportedly brought relief to residents of Asarara Kaura and neighbouring communities, with residents said to have turned out in large numbers to commend the troops for their intervention.
The military said the operation had helped prevent the terrorists from escaping with the livestock and safeguarded the livelihood of affected residents.
It added that the recovered cattle had been placed in secure military custody pending their formal handover to the Chairman of the Sokoto State Committee on the Recovery of Rustled Animals.
According to the military, the committee will oversee the verification of the livestock and its subsequent return to the rightful owners in the affected communities.
The development followed the continued deployment of troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA in parts of the North-West to tackle terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality.
