By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Troops of Sector Two, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 23 kidnapped victims and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group in separate operations across Sokoto State.
A statement by Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, says troops responded to a terrorist attack on Sabon Gari in Wurno Local Government Area, after terrorists invaded the community and fired sporadically, forcing residents to flee.
The troops engaged the terrorists and forced them to withdraw, rescuing six kidnapped victims in the process.
In a separate operation along the Sabon Birni–Takatsaba Road in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, troops acting on intelligence and operational tactics, engaged the terrorists forcing them to flee in disarray. The maintained dominance of the area to deny them freedom of action.
Similarly, troops responding to reported terrorist activities along the Isa–Kwanar Isa–Shinkafi Road in Isa Local Government Area engaged the terrorists and forced them to withdraw.
A subsequent search of the area led to the rescue of 17 kidnapped civilians. One of the victims, who sustained a fracture, was evacuated to the General Hospital, Isa, for medical attention.
In another intelligence-driven operation, troops arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group in Illela Local Government Area and recovered six cows suspected to have been rustled.
The suspects and recovered livestock are currently in military custody for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the group.
The Theatre Command says the operations are part of sustained efforts to disrupt terrorist activities, rescue kidnapped civilians and deny terrorists freedom of movement across the Joint Operations Area.
It reassured residents of the troops’ commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist elements and protecting communities within their area of responsibility.
