Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 14 kidnapped victims and recovered two AK-47 rifles during separate operations in Kaduna and Katsina States.
The operations, conducted between September 23 and 25, 2026, also resulted in the arrest of four suspects, including three alleged terrorist logistics couriers.
The Media Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Gusau.
In Kaduna State, troops of Sector 1, acting on intelligence about the movement of terrorists through the bushes of Rijana in Kachia Local Government Area, laid an ambush on September 23 and engaged the terrorists.
The terrorists fled following the encounter, while a subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, a magazine containing 13 rounds of ammunition, a magazine carrier and a military jungle hat.
In a separate operation in Awom village, also in Kachia LGA, troops arrested a suspect identified as Jacob, who was allegedly found with a locally fabricated pistol and seven rounds of ammunition.
Meanwhile, in Katsina State, troops of Sector 2 intercepted three suspected terrorist logistics couriers travelling on a motorcycle in Faskari Local Government Area on September 24.
According to the military, preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspects were carrying ₦2.7 million suspected to be ransom money, as well as three mobile phones, for onward transfer to a terrorist kingpin through intermediaries.
The suspects and recovered items were taken into military custody for further investigation.
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Also in Faskari on September 25, troops acting on intelligence about terrorist movements established an ambush and engaged the terrorists, forcing them to flee.
A subsequent search of the area resulted in the recovery of another AK-47 rifle, 30 rounds of ammunition and a motorcycle.
In a related operation the same day, troops on routine patrol intercepted and rescued 14 kidnapped victims comprising 12 males and two females.
The victims were reportedly abducted from Anguwan Miko and Tafoki villages in Faskari Local Government Area and abandoned by their captors after the terrorists sighted the advancing troops.
The rescued victims were subsequently handed over to the Faskari Local Government authorities for further necessary action.
The Theatre Command said the operations demonstrated the commitment of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to protecting communities, rescuing persons held in captivity and denying terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area.
The Command also commended the troops for their vigilance, courage and prompt response, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information on suspicious movements and activities to security agencies.
