Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 14 kidnapped victims after a fierce gun battle with terrorists in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State, in an operation that has once again demonstrated the military's growing capability to respond swiftly to intelligence and protect civilians from the scourge of banditry. The rescue, which occurred on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, followed credible intelligence about terrorists moving with captives around the dense Madaci Forest in Sabuwa LGA, a known hideout for criminal networks operating across the North-West.
According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, troops of Sector 2 acted on the intelligence and mobilised swiftly to the area. Upon arrival, they made contact with the terrorists and engaged them in a fierce gun battle. The sustained pressure from the troops forced the criminals to abandon their captives and flee into the surrounding bushes, leaving behind the victims they had been holding. During the subsequent exploitation of the area, troops successfully rescued 14 victims, comprising six males and eight females.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims had been abducted from different locations within the Dandume, Bakori and Funtua general areas of Katsina State, highlighting the cross-community reach of the terrorist networks operating in the region. The rescued victims were subsequently handed over to the appropriate local authorities for profiling and reunification with their families, bringing an end to what must have been days of agonising uncertainty for their loved ones.
The Theatre Command described the successful rescue as a reflection of the responsiveness and determination of Operation FANSAN YAMMA troops to protect lives and deny terrorists the freedom to perpetrate criminal activities across the Joint Operations Area. The command reassured the public that troops would continue to sustain pressure on terrorist elements and intensify operations to safeguard communities across the North-West. Members of the public were also encouraged to continue providing timely and credible information to security forces to support ongoing operations.
The rescue in Sabuwa LGA is the latest in a series of successful operations by Operation FANSAN YAMMA, which has intensified its campaign against banditry and terrorism across Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto states. Just days earlier, on August 15, troops of Sector 2 had conducted clearance operations around suspected terrorist enclaves in Dutsinma LGA, forcing terrorists to abandon their positions. On August 14, troops repelled an attack on construction workers and neutralised two terrorists in Katsina. The consistency of these operations underscores the military's determination to degrade the operational capabilities of terrorist groups and restore security to communities that have been held hostage by fear and violence.
The rescue of 14 victims from the clutches of terrorists is a testament to the courage and professionalism of the troops involved. Their ability to respond swiftly to intelligence, engage the enemy in a gun battle, and secure the release of captives without any casualties on their side is a significant achievement. For the families of the rescued victims, the news of their freedom is a moment of relief and gratitude. For the people of Katsina State, it is a reminder that the security forces are working tirelessly to protect them, even as the battle against terrorism continues. And for the terrorists who fled into the bushes, it is a message that no matter how deep they hide, the long arm of the law will eventually find them.
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