Troops of the Nigerian military have rescued 27 kidnapped victims, including 15 males and 12 females, after a gun battle with terrorists in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The victims were abducted from Gamji community before troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, responded to a distress call on October 16.
The task force’s Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
He said the troops pursued the terrorists along the Gangare-Kamba axis and engaged them with superior firepower, forcing the kidnappers to abandon their captives and flee.
“On contact, troops engaged with superior firepower, forcing the terrorists to abandon their victims and flee in disarray,” Danja said.
He added that the victims were found unharmed during a subsequent search and handed over to community leaders for reunification with their families after profiling.
In a separate operation on the same day, troops on a fighting patrol around Kurba village in Kankara Local Government Area encountered terrorists riding on three motorcycles.
According to Danja, the suspects fled upon sighting the soldiers, abandoning one motorcycle, which was recovered by the troops.
The task force said the operations formed part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist activities and protect vulnerable communities across the North-West.
The Theatre Commander of Operation Fansan Yamma commended the troops for their response and reassured residents of Katsina, Zamfara and neighbouring states of the military’s commitment to restoring peace and security.
