Troops neutralise terrorists, rescue abductees in Sokoto, Katsina

By Imisioluwa Afunmiso

Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have recorded major operational successes against terrorists in Sokoto and Katsina states.

During the operations, troops neutralised two suspected terrorists, rescued several abductees, and recovered weapons, motorcycles, and rustled livestock.

The military disclosed these developments on Monday in a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, the Media Information Officer for Operation FANSAN YAMMA.

According to the statement, the operation began on June 21, 2026, when armed terrorists attempted to infiltrate Tureta town in Sokoto State. Acting on credible intelligence, the troops swiftly engaged the terrorists, forcing them to abandon their planned attack and flee the area.

Military aerial surveillance later tracked the fleeing terrorists to Sulubawa Gidan Kare village, where they were spotted moving with abducted civilians and rustled livestock.

The troops immediately launched a pursuit operation and staged an ambush, which led to the successful rescue of the abducted victims, the recovery of the rustled cattle, and the seizure of two motorcycles used by the terrorists.

In a separate operation in the early hours of June 22, troops carried out an intelligence-led dawn raid on a known terrorist hideout in the Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State. This led to a fierce gun battle during which two terrorists were neutralised, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

Items recovered from the hideout included one PKT assault rifle, one AK-47 rifle, ammunition, three motorcycles, communication devices, rustled livestock, and various logistics materials.

The military stated that these latest successes reflect the determination and resilience of the troops in their ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks across the North-West.

They added that aggressive operations would continue until criminal elements are completely denied freedom of action and lasting peace is restored to the region.