Interception of Ransom Exchange

In a dramatic intervention that turned a planned ransom payment into a rescue operation, troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued a woman kidnapped from her farm in Kebbi State, forcing her captors to flee and abandon their victim.

The rescue, according to the military, followed credible intelligence on a planned ransom exchange for the woman, who had been abducted from her farm in the state last month. Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the troops mobilised to intercept the terrorists at the location where the ransom exchange was expected to take place.

the troops, acting on credible intelligence regarding a planned ransom exchange for a woman who was abducted from her farm last month, swiftly mobilized to intercept the transaction.

— Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Spokesperson, Operation FANSAN YAMMA

Firefight and Successful Rescue

The operation took an unexpected turn when the advancing troops came under attack from the terrorists. Rather than allowing the confrontation to derail the rescue mission, the troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the criminals to retreat in disarray. In the confusion that followed, the terrorists abandoned the kidnapped woman and fled into the surrounding terrain.

The troops subsequently secured the victim, who was found unharmed, bringing an agonising chapter in her life to an end. The woman has since been safely transported and reunited with her family in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, according to the military.

The engagement forced the criminals to retreat in disarray, abandoning the hostage. Subsequently, the troops successfully secured the victim, who was found unharmed,

— Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Spokesperson, Operation FANSAN YAMMA

Sustained Security Operations in Kebbi

For the troops, the operation did not end with the rescue. Colonel Osoba stated that the soldiers immediately exploited the terrorists’ withdrawal route to ensure that the area was thoroughly secured before returning safely to base. The rescue came as troops continued their wider efforts to deny criminal elements freedom of movement in the state.

In a separate but related operation, troops conducted routine clearance and dominance patrols in Ngaski Local Government Area. The patrols were successfully completed without incident, further strengthening security presence and reassuring residents in the area. These operations are part of sustained efforts under Operation FANSAN YAMMA to keep pressure on terrorists and bandits operating in Kebbi and other parts of the country.

We will keep the fire on everywhere the terrorist are, we will dismantle them to secure Kebbi state and Nigeria.

— Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Spokesperson, Operation FANSAN YAMMA

Beyond the firepower and tactical manoeuvres, the rescue underscored the importance of intelligence in the fight against kidnapping. The military urged residents to remain vigilant and support ongoing operations by providing timely and credible information that could help security forces detect and disrupt criminal activities before they occur.