Troops foil terrorist attack, rescue abductees in Sokoto, Katsina

The troops of Sector 2 Operation Fansan Yamma have neutralised many terrorists, thwarted a kidnapping attempt, and recovered arms and rustled livestock in Sokoto and Katsina States.

The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West) Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt.-Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, June 22, 2026.

Danja said the first of these decisive encounters occurred on June 21, when terrorists attempted to infiltrate Tureta town in Sokoto State.

Danja said troops responded swiftly to actionable intelligence and engaged the insurgents, forcing them to abandon their sinister mission and flee.

He stated: “Following this initial encounter, aerial surveillance tracked the fleeing terrorists to Sulubawa Gidan Kare village, where they were observed moving with abducted civilians and rustled livestock.

“Acting promptly, the troops launched a hot pursuit. Despite encountering a hastily mounted ambush by the retreating terrorists, the troops displayed exceptional courage and superior firepower, fighting through the ambush and compelling the criminals to scatter.

“This valiant effort led to the successful rescue of the abductees, the recovery of the rustled cattle and the seizure of two motorcycles used by the terrorists.”

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In a related development, Danja disclosed that troops, in the early hours of Monday, executed an intelligence-driven dawn raid on a known terrorist enclave in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

“The surprise assault completely overwhelmed the terrorists. During the ensuing firefight, two terrorists were neutralised, while several others fled the scene with varying degrees of gunshot wounds,” the army spokesman said.

He added that the operation yielded significant recoveries of a PKT assault rifle, an AK-47 rifle with a quantity of ammunition, three motorcycles, mobile communication devices, rustled livestock, and other logistical items used to facilitate their criminal enterprises.

Danja assured Nigerians that aggressive operations will be sustained to dismantle all terrorist networks, deny them freedom of action, and restore lasting peace and security across the North West region.