Troops arrest suspected terrorist couriers, rescue 14 kidnapped victims in Katsina

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have arrested three suspected terrorist logistics couriers and rescued 14 kidnapped victims during separate operations in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

This was contained in a press statement signed by Aliyu Danja, Lieutenant Colonel and Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, and posted on its Facebook page.

The statement said the suspects were arrested on September 24, 2026, after troops of Sector 2 intercepted them while travelling on a motorcycle in the area.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspects were allegedly transporting ₦2.7 million, suspected to be ransom money, along with three mobile phones for onward delivery to a terrorist kingpin through intermediaries.

The suspects and the recovered items have been taken into military custody for further investigation.

In a separate operation on September 25, troops, acting on credible intelligence about the movement of terrorists in Faskari, established an ambush and engaged the terrorists, forcing them to flee.

The troops subsequently recovered an AK-47 rifle, 30 rounds of ammunition and a motorcycle from the area.

Also on the same day, troops on routine patrol intercepted and rescued 14 kidnapped victims comprising 12 males and two females.

The victims were reportedly abducted from Anguwan Miko and Tafoki villages in Faskari Local Government Area and were abandoned by their captors after sighting the advancing troops.

The victims were later handed over to the Faskari Local Government authorities for further necessary action.

The Theatre Command said the operations reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, rescuing persons held in captivity and restricting the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements across the Joint Operations Area.

It also commended the troops for their vigilance and urged members of the public to continue providing security agencies with timely and credible information on suspicious activities in their communities.