Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY), have rescued 22 kidnapped victims during separate operations in Sabon Birni and Isa Local Government Areas of Sokoto State.
The military said the operations were carried out in response to terrorist attacks targeting commuters and farmers, as troops intensified efforts to protect lives and restore security across communities within the theatre of operations.
In a statement on Saturday, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said the first incident occurred on June 18, 2026, when troops received credible intelligence that terrorists had blocked the Sabon Birni–Shinkafi Road at Kura Mota Village.
According to him, the terrorists attacked two civilian vehicles and abducted several passengers, while one civilian was killed during the assault.
He said troops swiftly mobilised to the area and launched a coordinated pursuit operation supported by aerial surveillance, forcing the attackers to abandon their captives and flee.
“Consequently, 17 kidnapped passengers were successfully rescued and subsequently handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary action,” the statement said.
The military further disclosed that troops responded to another terrorist attack the same day at Chohi Village in Isa Local Government Area, where armed assailants attempted to abduct farmers working on their farmlands.
Following a distress call, troops deployed to the area and pursued the fleeing terrorists along their withdrawal route, leading to the rescue of five kidnapped farmers.
The rescued victims were later reunited with their families, while troops conducted confidence-building patrols in nearby communities, including Gidan Rana and Gidan Sale villages, to reassure residents and prevent further attacks.
The Joint Task Force said the successful operations demonstrated the commitment of Operation Fansan Yamma to safeguarding vulnerable communities, denying terrorists freedom of action and creating a secure environment for residents to carry out their daily activities without fear.
