Troops rescue 23 kidnapped victims, arrest four suspected Lakurawa members in Sokoto
Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 23 kidnapped victims, foiled terrorist attacks, and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group in separate operations across Sokoto State. The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed this to newsmen in a statement issued on Monday.
The operations, conducted on September 20, 2026, also resulted in the recovery of six cattle allegedly rustled by terrorists. In Wurno Local Government Area, troops responded to an attack on Sabon Gari, where terrorists had invaded the community and opened fire, forcing residents to flee. The troops engaged the attackers and forced them to withdraw from the area, rescuing six kidnapped victims in the process. A civilian who sustained a gunshot wound during the attack was evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
In another operation along the Sabon Birni–Takatsaba Road in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, troops acted on intelligence that terrorists were attempting to cross the road around Chabe Biyu. The troops established an ambush along the terrorists’ suspected route and engaged them with firepower after sighting them, forcing the terrorists to flee. Troops subsequently dominated the area to prevent the terrorists from regrouping or gaining freedom of movement. Similarly, troops responded to a distress call over terrorist activities along the Isa–Kwanar Isa–Shinkafi Road in Isa Local Government Area.
According to the military, the troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them, forcing them to withdraw in disarray. 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.
