Odita Sunday 
Operation Fansan Yamma troops rescue 23 kidnapped victims, arrest four Lakurawa suspects in Sokoto
By Odita Sunday
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 Media Information Officer of the task force, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, September 21, 2026.
According to Danja, troops responded to a terrorist attack on Sabon Gari in Wurno Local Government Area on September 20, where terrorists invaded the community and fired sporadically, forcing residents to flee.
He said the troops engaged the terrorists and compelled them to withdraw, rescuing six kidnapped victims during the operation. A civilian who sustained a gunshot wound was also evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
In a separate operation on the same day, troops responded to intelligence indicating that terrorists were attempting to cross the Sabon Birni–Takatsaba Road around Chabe Biyu in Sabon Birni Local Government Area.
Danja said the troops swiftly mobilised and established an ambush along the terrorists’ axis of advance before engaging them with firepower upon sighting.
The terrorists reportedly fled in disarray, while the troops dominated the general area to deny them freedom of movement and further action.
Similarly, 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. Subsequent exploitation 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 attention.
In another intelligence-driven operation, troops arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group in Illela Local Government Area.
Danja said the troops acted on information about the movement of suspected Lakurawa members who were driving a herd of rustled cattle from Sarma Village towards Illela.
He explained that the troops swiftly mobilised and established a snap checkpoint along the suspected movement route, leading to the arrest of the four suspects and recovery of six cows.
The suspects and 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.
Danja said the latest operations demonstrated the effectiveness of the intelligence-driven and proactive measures being undertaken by Sector 2 troops to disrupt terrorist activities, rescue kidnapped civilians and restrict terrorists’ freedom of movement across the joint operations area.
He reaffirmed the troops’ determination to sustain pressure on terrorist elements and protect communities within their area of responsibility.
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