Terrorists Take Heavy Hit As Troops Free 31 Captives, Kill Kingpin

• Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued 31 kidnapped civilians in separate operations across Katsina and Kebbi states, while two terrorists were killed during intensified military action.

• The rescued victims were recovered after troops responded to attacks in Funtua and Kangiwa, forcing the terrorists to abandon their captives and flee into surrounding bushes.

• Among those killed in Katsina was Abbah Alhassan, identified by the military as a terrorist kingpin, while troops recovered ammunition, a motorcycle, camouflage clothing and other items from the group’s hideout.

• The operations also produced two arrests in Dan Musa Local Government Area, with preliminary interrogation linking the suspects to another alleged terrorist kingpin known as Mannori.

September 16, () – Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 31 kidnapped victims and killed two terrorists, including a suspected kingpin, in separate operations across Katsina and Kebbi states.

The operations, carried out on September 14 and 15, also led to the arrest of two suspected terrorists in Katsina State as security forces intensified operations against armed groups terrorising communities in the region.

The Media Information Officer of the JTF North-West, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed the developments in a statement issued on Wednesday.

In Katsina, troops of Sector 2 moved into Funtua Local Government Area on September 14 after receiving reports that terrorists had abducted civilians from Unguwan Daudu and Unguwan Chibauna communities. The troops immediately went after the attackers, eventually engaging them in a gun battle.

Danja said the pressure from the troops forced the terrorists to abandon their victims and escape.

Ten kidnapped civilians were recovered from the area. They comprised three males and seven females, including an infant. The rescued victims were taken into military custody for further action.

On the same day, troops operating in Kebbi State responded to a distress call concerning the abduction of civilians from Fafala Village in Kangiwa Local Government Area.

Acting on intelligence, the troops mounted a fighting patrol towards Fafala and Dandikwa, where they encountered the terrorists.

A heavy exchange of gunfire followed, forcing the attackers to withdraw from the area. The troops subsequently combed the area and rescued 21 kidnapped victims. The victims were later reunited with their families.

The military recorded another breakthrough in Katsina on September 15 after intelligence indicated that terrorists were planning attacks on communities in Matazu and Kankara local government areas.

Troops moved towards the suspected hideout and engaged the terrorists, killing two of them during the encounter.

Danja identified one of those killed as Abbah Alhassan, whom he described as a known terrorist kingpin. Other members of the group reportedly escaped into the surrounding bush.

Troops recovered 10 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle, a cutlass, camouflage clothing and Indian hemp, among other items, from the hideout.

In a separate operation around the Yantumaki general area of Dan Musa Local Government Area, troops also arrested two suspected terrorists.

According to Danja, preliminary interrogation showed that the suspects were associated with a terrorist kingpin identified as Mannori. The suspects remain in military custody and are expected to undergo further investigation.

The JTF said the operations formed part of its continuing campaign to rescue kidnapped civilians, dismantle terrorist networks and restrict the movement and operational capacity of armed groups across the North-West.

The military also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly provide security agencies with information about suspicious movements and activities in their communities.

Danja commended members of the public for their support and called for continued cooperation with security forces as military operations against terrorists and kidnappers continue across the region.