Troops foil mass abduction, rescue nine civilians, including infant, in Zamfara

Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have foiled an attempted mass abduction by terrorists in Unguwar Rogo village, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, rescuing nine civilians, including an infant.

Aliyu Danja, media information officer of the Joint Task Force (North-West), Operation Fansan Yamma, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Danja said the incident occurred on August 16 after troops received a distress call that terrorists, reportedly led by suspected kingpin Mallam Shuaibu, had infiltrated the community and attacked civilians travelling along a local route.

According to him, preliminary intelligence indicated that the attack may have been carried out in retaliation for the recent arrest of suspected collaborators linked to the terrorist network.

“The suspects had earlier been intercepted by troops while attempting to procure motorcycles and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in support of the terrorists’ activities,” the statement reads.

“In an apparent attempt to retaliate and abduct civilians, the terrorists concealed themselves within a millet farm along the route and opened fire on passing vehicles, causing some drivers to lose control and veer off the road.

“Responding swiftly to the distress call, troops of Sector 2 moved to the area and decisively engaged the terrorists, denying them the opportunity to carry out the abduction.

“Faced with the troops’ superior response, the terrorists abandoned their mission and fled into the surrounding forest.

“Following the engagement, troops rescued nine civilians, including an infant.”

The army said two women who sustained gunshot wounds during the attack were evacuated and are currently receiving medical treatment.

It added that Operation Fansan Yamma remains committed to denying terrorists and other criminal elements the freedom to attack civilians.

The joint task force said it would continue to sustain pressure on terrorist networks while strengthening measures to protect lives and restore lasting peace and security across the North-West region.