Troops foil kidnap operation, recover cash in Katsina

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued six kidnapped victims and recovered N800,000 allegedly taken from them by terrorists in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The victims were rescued on Saturday, August 22, 2026, after troops responded to a distress call over the abduction of six occupants of a vehicle along the Dandume-Sheme Road.

The Joint Task Force disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, August 23, and signed by its Media Information Officer, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja.

According to the statement, troops of Sector 2 were conducting a fighting patrol when they received information that terrorists had intercepted a vehicle and abducted its occupants.

The troops moved to the area and engaged the terrorists, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee into nearby bushes.

“All 6 kidnapped victims were rescued unharmed,” the statement said.

The troops also recovered the N800,000 reportedly taken from the victims during the abduction.

The money and vehicle were later returned to the victims in the presence of the Divisional Police Officer, Dandume.

According to the statement, in a separate operation on Friday, August 21, troops encountered terrorists along the Maraban Kankara axis in Kankara Local Government Area.

The troops engaged the terrorists, forcing them to flee into the surrounding bushes.

One motorcycle was recovered during the subsequent search of the area.

The Joint Task Force said it would continue patrols and offensive operations to disrupt terrorist activities and protect residents across the area.

It also urged members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and credible information to support ongoing operations.