Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have successfully foiled two separate abduction attempts and rescued 10 victims in different locations in Zamfara State. The operations took place on Sunday, September 27, 2026, in Maru and Tsafe Local Government Areas of the state. The troops' swift response was prompted by intelligence that terrorists had abducted villagers in the communities.
In the first incident, troops of Sector 2 rescued four villagers abducted by terrorists at Kade Daba village in Kanoma District, Maru LGA. According to Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, the Media Information Officer of JTF North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, the troops acted on information that terrorists had abducted villagers in the community and swiftly mobilized to the area. The troops engaged the terrorists, resulting in the immediate rescue of three victims.
Further exploitation of the area led to the rescue of another victim, bringing the number rescued in the operation to four. The successful rescue was a result of the troops' prompt response and professionalism in protecting civilians. The incident highlights the ongoing efforts of the JTF to sustain offensive operations against terrorists and deny them freedom of movement across the North-West.
In a separate incident along the Tsafe-Funtua Road, troops on a picketing operation reportedly heard sporadic gunshots ahead of their position at Kwanoni. The troops immediately moved towards the location and encountered terrorists withdrawing through the surrounding high ground. The troops engaged the terrorists, forcing them to flee from the area in disarray.
Before the arrival of the troops, the terrorists had set a Sharon vehicle ablaze while attempting to abduct its occupants. Fortunately, the occupants were able to escape before the vehicle was completely engulfed by fire. The swift response of the troops prevented further harm to the civilians and foiled the abduction attempt.
The troops also rescued six persons from another vehicle which lost control as a result of the gunshots. The affected vehicle was subsequently towed away from the main road to facilitate the free flow of traffic. The incident highlights the risks faced by civilians in the region and the importance of the JTF's operations to protect them.
The Theatre Commander of JTF North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, commended the troops for their vigilance, prompt response, and professionalism in protecting civilians. The commander reaffirmed the task force's resolve to sustain offensive operations against terrorists and deny them freedom of movement across the North-West. The JTF also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information about suspicious movements and activities to the nearest security agency or through appropriate official channels.
Key points
- Nigerian soldiers foiled two separate abduction attempts in Zamfara State, rescuing 10 people.
- The operations took place in Maru and Tsafe Local Government Areas of Zamfara State on September 27, 2026.
- The JTF North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, reaffirmed its resolve to sustain offensive operations against terrorists in the region.
