Odita Sunday 
Troops Foil Abduction Attempts, Rescue Civilians, Neutralise IED in Zamfara
By Odita Sunday
Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled separate terrorist abduction attempts, rescued civilians and neutralised an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Zamfara State.
The Theatre Command, in a statement signed by the Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said the operations took place on Monday, August 17, 2026, in different parts of the state.
According to the statement, troops of Sector 2 responded to an abduction incident along the Gurusu–Anka Road and pursued the terrorists, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee.
“Seven victims, comprising four women and three children, were successfully rescued unharmed,” the statement said.
In a separate operation in Tsafe Local Government Area, troops responded to reports of terrorists attempting to abduct motorists around Magazu Village.
The troops engaged the terrorists, forcing them to abandon their victims and flee into the surrounding bushes.
The statement added that some of the rescued victims sustained gunshot wounds during the incident and were immediately evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
Earlier on the same day, troops of Sector 2 also responded to the discovery of a terrorist-planted IED along the Gurusu–Gwashi Road in Bukkuyum LGA.
The area was promptly secured, while the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team successfully neutralised the device, averting potential casualties among troops and civilian road users.
The Theatre Command said the operations demonstrated the vigilance and responsiveness of troops in protecting lives, securing communities and keeping major routes safe from terrorist activities.
It reassured residents that troops would continue to maintain pressure on terrorist elements across the Joint Operations Area and deny them the freedom to threaten innocent citizens.
The Command also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information on suspicious activities to security forces.
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