Troops rescue nine abductees, recover 56 livestock in Katsina

Katsinatimes 

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued nine kidnapped victims, recovered 56 rustled livestock and arrested a suspected terrorist during separate operations in Katsina State.

The military disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja.

According to the statement, troops of Sector 2 rescued the nine victims during a fighting patrol in Faskari Local Government Area.

The victims, comprising three women, four men and two children, were abducted by terrorists on July 9, 2026, along the Tsafe–Kuchere Road in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The military said the victims escaped from their captors’ enclave after the terrorists fell asleep and were later intercepted and rescued by troops.

“The rescued victims are currently in safe custody and are being processed for reunification with their families,” the statement said.

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In another operation, troops acting on credible intelligence responded to an attempt by terrorists to rustle livestock in Bakori Local Government Area.

The statement said the terrorists opened fire on sighting the troops, but were repelled by the superior firepower of the soldiers and fled into the bush, abandoning 56 livestock comprising four cattle and 52 sheep.

The recovered animals are in military custody pending handover to the appropriate local authorities.

Similarly, troops arrested a suspected terrorist during routine operational activities in Danmusa Local Government Area.

The military said preliminary exploitation of items recovered from the suspect revealed materials suspected to be linked to terrorist activities.

The suspect is currently in military custody and undergoing further investigation.

The Theatre Commander of Operation FANSAN YAMMA commended the troops for their professionalism and resilience, reaffirming the commitment of the Joint Task Force to sustain intelligence-driven operations against terrorism and other criminal activities in the North West.