Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have disrupted two suspected abduction operations in Zamfara State, rescuing 10 people during separate interventions.
The operations were carried out on September 27 in Maru and Tsafe Local Government Areas as troops responded to reports of attacks and suspected kidnappings in the affected locations.
In Maru, troops of Sector 2 were alerted to the abduction of villagers at Kade Daba Village in the Kanoma District.
The soldiers quickly mobilised to the area and engaged the suspected terrorists, leading to the immediate rescue of three victims.
A subsequent search of the area resulted in the rescue of another victim, bringing the number of people rescued in the operation to four.
A separate incident occurred along the Tsafe-Funtua road in Tsafe Local Government Area, where troops conducting a picketing operation heard gunshots from ahead of their position at Kwanoni.
The troops moved towards the location and encountered suspected terrorists retreating through surrounding high ground.
According to the Joint Task Force, the soldiers engaged the suspects, forcing them to withdraw from the area.
Before the troops arrived, the attackers had reportedly set a Sharon vehicle ablaze while attempting to abduct its occupants. The occupants, however, escaped before the vehicle was completely consumed by the fire.
During the operation, troops also rescued six people from another vehicle that reportedly lost control following the sporadic gunfire.
The affected vehicle was later towed away from the road to restore the movement of traffic along the route.
The Media Information Officer of JTF North West Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed the incidents in a statement.
The Theatre Commander commended the troops for their vigilance and quick response, particularly in protecting residents and travellers along major roads and surrounding communities.
He also reaffirmed the task force’s commitment to sustained operations against terrorists across the North West.
The commander urged members of the public to continue providing security agencies with timely and credible information on suspicious movements and activities to support ongoing efforts to protect communities and major routes.
