Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 23 kidnapped victims, foiled terrorist attacks and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group in separate operations across Sokoto State. The Joint Task Force said in a statement signed by its Media Information Officer,……
Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 23 kidnapped victims, foiled terrorist attacks and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group in separate operations across Sokoto State.
The Joint Task Force said in a statement signed by its Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, on Monday, September 21, 2026, that the operations were carried out on September 20 in different parts of the state.
According to the statement, troops responded swiftly to a terrorist attack on Sabon Gari in Wurno Local Government Area, where terrorists invaded the community and opened fire, forcing civilians to flee.
The troops engaged the attackers and forced them to withdraw from the area, while six kidnapped victims were rescued during the operation. A civilian who sustained a gunshot wound was also evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
In a separate operation, troops acted on intelligence that terrorists were attempting to cross the Sabon Birni–Takatsaba Road around Chabe Biyu in Sabon Birni Local Government Area.
The troops mobilised and laid an ambush along the terrorists’ axis of advance before engaging them with firepower on sighting. The terrorists were forced to flee in disarray, while troops continued to dominate the area to deny them freedom of action.
Also on September 20, troops responded to a distress call concerning terrorist activities along the Isa–Kwanar Isa–Shinkafi Road in Isa Local Government Area.
The troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them, forcing them to withdraw in disarray. During exploitation of the area, 17 kidnapped civilians were rescued.
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One of the rescued victims, who sustained a fracture, was immediately evacuated to the General Hospital, Isa, for medical attention.
In another intelligence-driven operation, troops acted on information about suspected Lakurawa members moving a herd of rustled cattle from Sarma Village towards Illela.
The troops swiftly mobilised to the area and established a snap checkpoint along the suspected route. The operation led to the arrest of four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group and the recovery of six cows.
Troops Rescue 23 Kidnap Victims, Arrest Four Suspected Lakurawa Members in Sokoto
The military said the suspects and recovered livestock are currently in custody for further investigation and necessary action, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the group.
“The latest successes underscore the effectiveness of the intelligence-driven and proactive operations being conducted by troops of Sector 2 OPFY to disrupt terrorist activities, rescue kidnapped civilians and deny terrorists freedom of movement across the Joint Operations Area,” Danja said.
He added that the troops “remain resolute in sustaining pressure on terrorist elements and protecting communities within their area of responsibility.”
