Troops foil abduction attempts, rescue 7 in Zamfara
By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled separate attempts by terrorists to abduct civilians in Zamfara State, rescuing several victims and neutralising an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted along a major road.
The operations, carried out on Monday, August 17, 2026, also saw troops engage terrorists attempting to abduct motorists in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.
In the first incident, troops of Sector 2 responded to an abduction along the Gurusu–Anka Road and pursued the terrorists, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee.
According to a statement by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, seven victims comprising four women and three children were rescued unharmed.
In a separate operation in Tsafe LGA, troops responded to reports of terrorists attempting to abduct motorists around Magazu Village.
The troops engaged the attackers, forcing them to abandon their victims and escape into the surrounding bushes.
Danja said some of the rescued victims sustained gunshot wounds during the incident and were immediately evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
Earlier the same day, troops also discovered a terrorist-planted IED along the Gurusu–Gwashi Road in Bukkuyum LGA.
The area was immediately secured while the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team successfully neutralised the device, preventing possible casualties among troops and civilian road users.
The Theatre Command said the operations demonstrated the vigilance and responsiveness of troops in protecting communities and securing major routes across the Joint Operations Area.
It assured residents that troops would continue to sustain pressure on terrorist elements 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.