Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Troops of the Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY), operating under Sector 2, have successfully eliminated two suspected terrorists in Kebbi State and rescued 62 abducted victims from a forest enclave in Zamfara State, the Nigerian Army has announced. The operations, conducted in collaboration with allied security forces and local vigilantes, reflect a coordinated push to dismantle banditry and terrorist networks plaguing the Northwestern region.
According to a statement released by Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for 8 Division Nigerian Army / Sector 2, OPFY, the dual missions followed credible, actionable intelligence and were undertaken to protect communities vulnerable to bandit attacks and kidnappings.
In Kebbi State, troops acting on precise intelligence ambushed members of the Lakurawa terrorist group near the border area between Augie Local Government Area (Kebbi) and Binji Local Government Area (Sokoto). The engagement took place in Kerani Village, where the forces encountered the insurgents and swiftly engaged them.
The clash resulted in the neutralisation of two suspected terrorists. Security forces also recovered two motorcycles used by the insurgents during the encounter. The motorcycles were noted to be fitted for long‑range movement, padded with thick blankets and equipped with hand tyre pumps — characteristics indicative of mobility tactics commonly exploited by bandit and terrorist elements in the northwest. The suspects were reportedly dressed in camouflage uniforms, a further sign of their organised and militant posture.
“The precision of this ambush operation underscores the quality of intelligence shared and the operational readiness of our troops,” Lt. Colonel Osoba stated, emphasising the role of timely information and vigilance by local communities in tipping off troops to insurgent movements.
In a separate but coordinated mission in Zamfara State, OPFY troops stormed Munhaye Forest, a notorious hideout associated with armed banditry and linked to the elusive bandit leader Kachalla Alti. Based on credible intelligence indicating that abducted civilians were being held captive within the forest, troops launched an aggressive clearance operation targeting the enclave.
The offensive led to the rescue of 62 hostages, all of whom were freed unharmed and moved into the custody of security and welfare officials for profiling, medical attention, and eventual reunion with their families. Security sources say efforts are currently underway to ensure that the freed captives receive comprehensive care and support after their ordeal.
“These operations underscore the relentless commitment of Operation Fansan Yamma and its partner security agencies to protect lives and restore peace across the region,” Osoba said. He noted that the rescues and targeted neutralisations are part of a sustained strategy to dismantle violent networks, deny them safe havens, and reassure communities long terrorised by banditry and kidnapping.
Local vigilante groups, working alongside troops and intelligence assets, were credited with providing critical ground support and information that enhanced the effectiveness of the missions. The synergy between formal security forces and community stakeholders has been repeatedly acknowledged by military officials as a force multiplier in the ongoing fight against insecurity in Northwestern Nigeria.
The successful rescue of such a significant number of hostages without loss of life highlights both the operational capability and the evolving tactics of security forces in conducting deep forest and bush operations, which have historically been challenging due to terrain and adversary familiarity with hideouts.
Residents in both Kebbi and Zamfara States have warmly welcomed the outcomes of the operations, seeing them as timely interventions that offer renewed hope for safety and normalcy in areas long affected by bandit incursions. Community leaders expressed gratitude to the troops and called for sustained pressure on remaining criminal networks that continue to menace rural settlements and transport routes.
Security analysts observing the developments note that the dual successes in Kebbi and Zamfara are emblematic of a broader shift toward intelligence‑driven, joint‑force operations, which integrate actionable tips from local communities with rapid deployment capabilities of the military and allied units. Such approaches, they argue, enhance the probability of disrupting insurgent plans before they escalate into mass kidnappings or large‑scale attacks.
Government and military officials have reiterated their commitment to protecting citizens, emphasising that security operations will continue unabated until violent non‑state actors are decisively weakened and the environments that enable their activities are systematically dismantled.
The rescued hostages are currently receiving necessary support while authorities continue efforts to reunite them with their loved ones. Meanwhile, operations by Operation Fansan Yamma and partner agencies remain active across the northwest, signalling sustained pressure on terrorist and bandit networks.
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