Troops rescue 25 abducted civilians in Katsina, Zamfara

Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have rescued 25 people who were kidnapped during separate operations in Katsina and Zamfara states.

The Military Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday night.

According to the statement, the victims were rescued on Thursday as troops carried out patrols and offensive operations against terrorists in the two states.

He said troops of Sector 1 in Katsina State encountered terrorists during a night patrol along Kwanar Kura in Sabuwa Local Government Area.

According to him, the troops engaged the terrorists with heavy firepower, forcing them to flee into nearby bushes.

The soldiers followed the terrorists along their escape routes and rescued two people who had earlier been kidnapped along the Dandume-Damari Road.

“The troops also recovered two motorcycles belonging to the fleeing terrorists,” he said.

In Zamfara State, Danja said troops of Sector 2 rescued 23 abducted civilians during a fighting patrol on the outskirts of Wuya Town in Anka Local Government Area.

“The rescued victims comprised three men and 20 women. Preliminary debriefing showed that the victims had been abducted from Gummi Local Government Area and had spent about three weeks in terrorist captivity. They were subsequently evacuated for medical attention and further debriefing,” he said.

Danja said the successful operations demonstrated the military’s continued efforts to protect civilians, disrupt terrorist activities and rescue people being held captive.