Troops rescue 48 kidnap victims in Zamfara

By Imisioluwa Afunmiso 

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 48 kidnapped victims following a terrorist attack on Magami village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The operation, carried out in the early hours of Sunday, July 26, was launched after troops of Sector 2 received a distress call that a large group of terrorists riding about 40 motorcycles had invaded the community.

According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, the assailants rounded up several residents with the intention of taking them into the bush, while another group waited at the outskirts of the village with the motorcycles.

He said the troops responded swiftly and engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle immediately upon arrival at the scene.

“The prompt intervention forced the terrorists to abandon the kidnapped victims and flee into the surrounding bush, leading to the successful rescue of all 48 abducted civilians,” the statement said.

However, one civilian was killed during the attack, while two others sustained gunshot wounds. The injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital, Kaura Namoda, where they are receiving treatment.

Following the rescue operation, the troops conducted aggressive patrols across the area to prevent further attacks and maintain security.

The Theatre Command commended the troops for their gallantry and professionalism, describing the operation as a demonstration of the military’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the North-West.

It also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to eliminate terrorist groups operating in the region.