Troops rescue 23 kidnap victims, arrest four terrorists in Sokoto

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued 23 kidnapped victims and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group during separate operations in Sokoto State.

The troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West, also foiled attacks by terrorists in Wurno, Sabon Birni and Isa Local Government Areas of the state.

The Media Information Officer, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

According to him, troops on Sunday responded to an attack on Sabon Gari in Wurno Local Government Area, where terrorists invaded the community and opened fire, forcing residents to flee.

He said the troops engaged the attackers and forced them to withdraw, rescuing six kidnapped victims in the process.

Danja added that a civilian who sustained a gunshot wound during the attack was evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.

In Sabon Birni Local Government Area, the troops responded to intelligence indicating that terrorists were attempting to cross the Sabon Birni-Takatsaba Road around Chabe Biyu.

The troops reportedly laid an ambush along the terrorists’ expected route and engaged them with firepower, forcing them to flee.

Similarly, troops responding to a distress call over terrorist activities along the Kwanar Isa-Shinkafi Road engaged the attackers and forced them to withdraw.

A subsequent search of the area led to the rescue of 17 kidnapped civilians.

One of the rescued victims, who sustained a fracture, was evacuated to the General Hospital, Isa, for medical treatment.

In a separate operation in Illela Local Government Area, troops arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa group who were allegedly transporting rustled cattle from Sarma Village towards Illela.

Six cows were recovered from the suspects.

The statement said the suspects and the recovered livestock remained in military custody for further investigation, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the group who fled the scene.