Troops of the Joint Task Force, North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued two kidnapped victims and recovered 94 rustled livestock during separate operations in Kaduna and Kano states.
The operations, carried out between August 25 and 26, also disrupted the activities of terrorists in parts of the two states, the military said on Wednesday.
In Kaduna State, troops of Sector 1 encountered terrorists during a clearance operation in Kachia Local Government Area on August 25.
The terrorists reportedly attempted to ambush the advancing troops but were forced to retreat following a gun battle.
“The troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the terrorists to flee,” the military said.
A motorcycle abandoned by the fleeing terrorists was subsequently recovered during the exploitation of the area.
In another operation in Kaduna, troops responded to a distress call over the abduction of three civilians and the rustling of livestock around Hayin Babangida in Igabi Local Government Area.
The troops tracked the suspected terrorists and engaged them, leading to the rescue of two female victims, who were later reunited with their families.
However, the third victim, a male, was found with a gunshot wound allegedly inflicted by the terrorists and died while being evacuated for medical attention.
“The troops tracked and engaged the terrorists, leading to the successful rescue of two female victims who were subsequently reunited with their families,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, troops also foiled a livestock rustling operation in Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State.
The military said the troops responded to reports of terrorist activities in the area after the suspects rustled livestock from a community.
Troops pursued the fleeing suspects and engaged them as they attempted to escape, forcing them to abandon the animals.
Further operations in the area on August 26 led to the recovery of additional livestock, bringing the total number recovered to 94, comprising 57 cows and 37 sheep.
The recovered animals were subsequently handed over to their owners in the presence of representatives of security agencies and local government authorities.
“Overwhelmed by the troops’ superior firepower, the terrorists fled in disarray and abandoned the rustled livestock,” the military said.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA said the operations demonstrated its determination to sustain pressure on terrorist and criminal groups while protecting lives and livelihoods across the North-West.
“The Joint Task Force will continue to take the fight to these criminal elements through intelligence-driven operations, aggressive patrols and rapid response to threats against communities,” the statement added.
The Joint Task Force commended members of the public for their support and urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security agencies.
“Such cooperation remains vital to ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and restore lasting peace and security across the North-West region,” the military said.
The statement was signed by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja.
