By Stephen Simon
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have recorded fresh successes in ongoing counter-terrorism operations, rescuing kidnapped victims, foiling a fresh abduction attempt and arresting suspected terrorist logistics suppliers in coordinated operations across Zamfara, Katsina and Kebbi states.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, who said the operations were carried out between July 20 and 21 following credible intelligence and distress calls from affected communities.
According to the statement, troops on July 20 swiftly responded to a distress call from residents of Shiyan Abiyola in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where armed terrorists had attempted to abduct civilians from a residence. The troops engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to abandon their mission and flee into nearby forests.
In a separate operation, soldiers rescued several farmers who had been abducted on July 14 while working on their farms in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The victims were freed unhurt after troops overpowered the terrorists and secured the area.
The military also arrested suspected terrorist logistics suppliers in operations conducted in parts of Katsina and Kebbi states. The suspects were allegedly transporting food items, fuel and other supplies believed to be destined for terrorist camps operating in the North-West.
Lieutenant Colonel Danja said troops recovered motorcycles and other items during the operations, adding that efforts were ongoing to identify and dismantle the criminal networks supporting terrorist activities across the region. He reaffirmed the commitment of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to sustaining offensive operations against bandits and other criminal elements.
He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, noting that recent operational successes were largely made possible through intelligence supplied by residents of affected communities.
The military assured citizens that troops would sustain the ongoing offensive against terrorists, bandits and kidnappers until lasting peace and security are restored across the North-West and other troubled parts of the country.
