North-West Troops Rescue 6 Kidnap Victims, Kill 2 Bandits, Arrest 8 Collaborators

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued six kidnap victims abandoned by fleeing bandits during military operations across Nigeria’s North-West, while separate offensives led to the killing of two suspected bandits and the arrest of eight alleged collaborators.

The operations, carried out between June 27 and 28 across Katsina, Kaduna and Zamfara states, also resulted in the recovery of 110 rustled cattle as the military intensified efforts to dismantle terrorist and bandit networks in the region.

In Katsina State, troops of the 17 Brigade, Sector 2, rescued the six victims during an offensive operation at Ungwan Doka in Faskari Local Government Area after the bandits abandoned them while fleeing advancing troops.

The rescued victims were identified as Mrs. Umaima Isiaku, 30; Amina Isiaku, 25; Fatima Saidu, 22; Huzaima Nasiru, 16; and two children, Usman Surajo, aged one, and Dauda Isiaku, aged 18 months.

The victims told security personnel they were abducted on March 11, 2026, along the Tsafe-Bilbis Road in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. They are natives of Bilbis village, and efforts are underway to reunite them with their families.

The Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed the operational successes in a statement, saying sustained military operations continue to degrade the capabilities of terrorist and bandit groups across the North-West.

According to the statement, troops of Sector 1, working alongside members of the Vigilante Group, engaged terrorists transporting kidnapped victims on motorcycles during fighting patrols in Giwa and Kaduna North local government areas of Kaduna State on June 27.

Following a fierce gun battle, the terrorists abandoned two motorcycles and fled into the bush. Troops rescued one kidnapped victim alive but recovered the body of another victim who had been killed before the rescue operation.

Later the same day, troops responded to a terrorist attack on Dariya village in Giwa Local Government Area, where one civilian was killed and three others sustained injuries before security forces arrived.

The troops pursued the fleeing attackers and intercepted them on motorcycles, leading to another exchange of gunfire in which two suspected bandits were killed. One motorcycle, ammunition, charms and other personal effects were recovered during the operation.

In Zamfara State, troops of Sector 2, acting on credible intelligence, arrested two suspects in Magami, Gusau Local Government Area for allegedly providing medical support to terrorist groups operating in the area.

Similarly, troops of Sector 1 arrested six additional suspects around Polewire village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State following a firefight with fleeing terrorists. The suspects are undergoing investigation over their alleged links to criminal activities.

On June 28, troops, in collaboration with members of the Vigilante Group, pursued cattle rustlers in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and laid a snap ambush along the suspects’ escape route at Ungwan Gora bush.

The operation forced the rustlers to abandon all the stolen livestock and flee, enabling troops to recover 110 rustled cattle, which were subsequently handed over to their rightful owners.

Operation FANSAN YAMMA reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive operations against terrorists and bandits across the North-West and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to support ongoing security operations.