Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued 31 abducted persons and killed five suspected terrorists during coordinated operations across Zamfara and Katsina states, in what the military described as a sustained effort to weaken armed groups operating in the North-West.
The rescue of the abductees, many of whom had reportedly spent weeks in captivity, emerged as the most significant outcome of the operations carried out by troops of Sector 2 of the operation in collaboration with the Air Component.
According to the military, the victims were freed during a follow-up ground offensive launched after precision air strikes targeted terrorist enclaves west of the Bagega Forest in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
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Military authorities said the rescued victims were found around the Bagega-Kawaye axis and were believed to be natives of several communities spread across Zamfara and neighbouring Sokoto State.
The military identified the affected local government areas as Maga, Gummi, Bukuyyum, and Anka in Zamfara State, as well as Zuru and Wasugu communities.
The operation highlights the continuing reliance of security forces on combined air and ground assaults to target criminal enclaves that have long served as hideouts for kidnappers and armed groups across parts of the North-West.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 8 Division Nigerian Army and Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, stated that the rescued victims had received medical attention and would be reunited with their families.
Besides the rescue operation, troops also carried out separate offensives against suspected terrorist camps in Zamfara and Katsina states.
Osoba stated that soldiers engaged suspected terrorists around the Maradun and Gidan Dan Jaja areas of Zamfara State, where two suspects were killed during exchanges of fire.
He added that troops destroyed identified camps during the operation and recovered several locally fabricated rifles as well as four motorcycles allegedly used by the criminal groups.
In neighbouring Katsina State, troops reportedly intercepted suspected terrorists travelling through the Ruwan Godiya axis and Sayaya Road in Matazu Local Government Area.
According to the military, intelligence suggested that the group was moving to carry out an attack before troops engaged them.
Osoba stated that three suspected terrorists were killed during the encounter following what he described as a fierce firefight.
The military also recovered motorcycles and ammunition from the scene.
One of those killed was later identified by the military as a foot soldier linked to a notorious terrorist kingpin known as Muhammad Fulani.
While the statement did not disclose the exact number of weapons recovered in Katsina, it maintained that rifles were among the items seized during the operation.
The latest operations come amid continuing security concerns across parts of Zamfara and Katsina, where communities have faced repeated incidents of kidnapping, attacks on villages and movement of armed groups through forest corridors.
The military maintained that Operation FANSAN YAMMA would continue its campaign against terrorist networks operating across the North-West, insisting that troops remained committed to disrupting attacks and improving security in the region.
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