Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 23 kidnapped victims, foiled suspected terrorist attacks and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group during separate operations across Sokoto State.
The Joint Task Force disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, September 21, 2026, by its Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja.
According to the statement, troops of Sector 2 responded swiftly on Sunday, September 20, to a terrorist attack on Sabon Gari in Wurno Local Government Area, where suspected terrorists had invaded the community and opened sporadic fire, forcing residents to flee.
The troops engaged the attackers and forced them to withdraw from the area.
During the operation, the troops rescued six kidnapped victims, while a civilian who sustained a gunshot wound during the attack was evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
In a separate operation the same day, troops responded to intelligence indicating an attempt by suspected terrorists to cross the Sabon Birni–Takatsaba Road around Chabe Biyu in Sabon Birni Local Government Area.
The troops swiftly mobilised and established an ambush along the suspected terrorists’ axis of advance.
The statement said the troops engaged the terrorists with firepower after sighting them, forcing them to flee in disarray.
It added that troops had continued to dominate the general area to deny the terrorists freedom of action.
Similarly, troops of Sector 2 responded to a distress call over terrorist activities along the Isa–Kwanar Isa–Shinkafi Road in Isa Local Government Area.
According to the JTF, the troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them with firepower, forcing them to withdraw.
A subsequent search 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 treatment.
In another intelligence-driven operation, troops intercepted suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group who were allegedly moving a herd of rustled cattle from Sarma Village towards Illela.
The troops mobilised to Illela Local Government Area and established a snap checkpoint along the suspected route.
The operation resulted in the arrest of four suspected members of the Lakurawa group and the recovery of six cows.
The suspects and the 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 Joint Task Force said the latest operations demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led and proactive military activities aimed at disrupting terrorist operations, rescuing kidnapped civilians and restricting the movement of terrorists across the Joint Operations Area.
The task force said its troops remained committed to sustaining pressure on terrorist elements and protecting communities within their area of responsibility.
“The troops remain resolute in sustaining pressure on terrorist elements and protecting communities within their area of responsibility,” the statement said.
