Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have rescued 11 kidnapped persons during separate operations in Ribah town and the Wasagu-Falfala general area of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The rescues followed a military pursuit of suspected terrorists who abducted seven residents after blocking the Ribah-Dirindaji road and a separate encounter in which troops successfully repelled an ambush by armed assailants.
The Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Captain Tamuno Sinivie, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
According to the statement, troops of Sector 2 responded to a distress call on October 30 concerning suspected terrorists who had blocked the Ribah-Dirindaji road while attempting to attack Ribah community.
On reaching the location, the soldiers discovered that the assailants had fled with seven residents. The troops immediately launched a pursuit towards Rambo village, mounting pressure on the fleeing terrorists and forcing them to abandon their captives.
The seven rescued persons were identified as Sa’adu Bala, 53; Nura Musa, 25; Dantami Yahyi, 57; Nasiru Muhammad, 21; Abdulakeem Abubakar, 23; Abdulahi Maikudi, 32; and Zaki Gambo, 56.
The military said all the victims were indigenes of Ribah town and had been reunited with their families.
In a separate operation on October 31, troops conducting a routine patrol in the Wasagu-Falfala general area came under attack after suspected terrorists laid an ambush along their route.
The soldiers reportedly responded with superior firepower, engaged the attackers and successfully forced them to retreat.
A subsequent search of the area led to the discovery of four kidnapped persons who had been abandoned by the fleeing terrorists during the exchange of gunfire.
The rescued victims were identified as Lawali Ali, 20; Samaila Shaibu, 14; Kasimu Shaibu, 20; and Aliyu Bala, 18.
The four victims, who are residents of Wasagu village, were subsequently handed over to the village head.
The military said troops had continued to maintain an active presence in the area to prevent further attacks and reassure residents of their safety.
It urged members of the public to support ongoing security operations by providing timely and credible information that could assist troops in tracking criminal elements and preventing further security breaches.
The task force reaffirmed its commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens and critical infrastructure across its area of responsibility.
