Rescue of Escapees in Faskari

Nine kidnapped victims have been rescued after escaping from a terrorist enclave, while troops of Operation Fansan Yamma recovered 56 rustled livestock and arrested a suspected terrorist in separate operations across Katsina State. The operations, conducted by troops of the Joint Task Force North West, were intelligence-driven and targeted criminal elements operating in the North-West theatre.

The Media Information Officer for Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, confirmed that the rescued victims comprised three women, four men, and two children. They were intercepted by troops of Sector 2 during a fighting patrol in the Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the victims had been abducted by terrorists on July 9, 2026, along the Tsafe–Kuchere Road in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The victims managed to flee their captors' enclave when the terrorists fell asleep, after which they were secured by the patrolling soldiers.

The rescued victims are currently in safe custody and are being processed for reunification with their families.

— Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer, Operation Fansan Yamma

Recovery of Rustled Livestock

In a related operation, troops responding to credible intelligence engaged terrorists attempting to rustle livestock in the Bakori Local Government Area. Upon sighting the military personnel, the terrorists opened fire but were quickly overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the soldiers, forcing the criminals to flee into the surrounding bush.

Following the confrontation, the troops recovered 56 rustled animals, consisting of four cattle and 52 sheep. The military has taken custody of the livestock to ensure they are returned to the appropriate authorities for eventual restoration to their owners.

The recovered livestock are in troops' custody, pending handover to local authorities.

— Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer, Operation Fansan Yamma

Arrest and Military Resolve

Further successes were recorded in the Danmusa Local Government Area, where troops conducting routine operational activities arrested a suspected terrorist. During a preliminary exploitation of items found in the suspect's possession, soldiers discovered materials suspected to have direct links with terrorist activities. The suspect remains in military custody and is undergoing further investigation.

The Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, commended the troops for their professionalism, vigilance, and resilience in sustaining pressure on criminal elements across the theatre.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations in collaboration with other security agencies and law-abiding citizens. The leadership emphasized that these efforts would continue until terrorism and other forms of criminality are decisively defeated in the North-West region.