Soldiers Rescue 18 Kidnap Victims, Arrest 2 Lakurawa Terrorists

Troops of Sector 2 of “Operation Fansan Yamma” have rescued 18 abducted persons and arrested two suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group in separate counter-terrorism operations in Zamfara State.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the operations, conducted on Monday followed intelligence-led responses to terrorist activities and distress calls within the state.

The acting deputy director, Army Public Relations, Sector 2, Lt-Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement yesterday in Gusau.

Danja said in the first operation, troops responded to a distress call concerning the sighting of terrorists on the outskirts of Sabon Gari Village in Kaura Namoda local government area.

“Upon arrival, troops established contact with the terrorists and rescued 18 abducted persons, including Alhaji Aminu Dayau and his children,” Danja said.

He added that some terrorists fled across a river line with some of their captives before troops could rescue them.

“Troops have intensified exploitation of the area and are continuing efforts to locate and rescue the remaining abducted persons while tracking the fleeing terrorists,” he said.

In another intelligence-driven operation, troops apprehended two suspected members of the Lakurawa Terrorist Group identified as Abdul Rahman Bouye and Mohammed Jamilu, both nationals of Niger Republic.

Danja said preliminary intelligence indicated that the suspects were allegedly involved in terrorist activities within the Zurmi general area, including providing information and technical assistance for the emplacement of Improvised Explosive Devices along the Zurmi-MSR road.

Items recovered from the suspects included identity cards, master keys and local charms, among other items.

“The suspects remain in military custody pending their handover to the Department of State Services for further necessary action,” he said.

Meanwhile, troops of Forward Operating Base Faru, acting on intelligence about the movement of terrorists with rustled cattle, embarked on a special operation towards Tunga/Jambako villages in Maradun LGA.