Troops Foil Terrorist Attack, Rescue Two Kidnap Victims in Sokoto

Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled a terrorist attack in Sokoto State, rescued two kidnapped victims and arrested a suspected illicit drug dealer in separate operations across the North-West.

The operations were conducted on September 12 and 13, 2026, according to a statement issued on Monday by the JTF Media Information Officer, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja.

In Kaduna State, troops of Sector 1 intercepted a man identified as Yohana Musa during a stop-and-search operation along the Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road on September 12.

Danja said Musa was allegedly found in possession of a large quantity of illicit drugs and other substances while travelling towards Birnin Gwari. He said the suspect and the recovered items remained in military custody for further investigation.

In Sokoto, troops of Sector 2 responded to a distress call following a terrorist attack on Unguwan Lalle in Sabon Birni Local Government Area on September 13.

According to Danja, the troops engaged the attackers and forced them to retreat, rescuing two kidnapped victims during the operation.

“Troops made contact with the terrorists, engaging them with firepower and forcing them to withdraw in disarray, rescuing two kidnapped victims in the process,” he said.

The JTF later received intelligence that the terrorists were attempting to regroup and immediately mobilised to the area. Troops subsequently re-established contact with the attackers and engaged them in what the JTF described as a fierce gun battle, forcing them to withdraw again.

During an exploitation of the area, troops recovered 157 rounds of PKT ammunition, phone batteries and other items, according to the statement.

The JTF said the operations demonstrated its continued efforts to disrupt terrorist activities and restrict the movement of criminal groups across the North-West.

Danja added that the Theatre Commander commended the troops for what he described as their “gallantry and professionalism” and reaffirmed the military’s determination to deny terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action within the Joint Operations Area.

The task force also appealed to residents across the region to provide security agencies with timely and credible information that could assist ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-crime operations.