Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 27 people abducted by terrorists in Gamji community, Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State, following a rapid military response to a distress call.
The rescue operation, which took place on October 16, 2026, involved troops attached to Sector 1, who moved into action after receiving information about terrorist activities in the community.
The victims comprised 15 males and 12 females. According to the military, all 27 individuals were recovered unharmed after the troops pursued the suspected abductors and forced them to abandon their captives.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja.
Troops pursue suspected kidnappers
According to Danja, the operation began after security personnel received a distress call alerting them to the presence and activities of terrorists in Gamji community.
Following the report, troops of Sector 1 swiftly mobilised and moved to confront the situation, launching a pursuit of the suspected attackers along the Gangare-Kamba axis.
During the operation, the soldiers engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, putting pressure on the armed group and disrupting its attempt to escape with the abducted persons.
The military said the encounter forced the suspects to abandon their victims before fleeing the area.
The troops subsequently searched the surrounding location and secured the release of all 27 abducted persons.
“All 27 victims were rescued unharmed during exploitation of the area,” the statement said.
The rescue marked a successful outcome for the troops, who responded to the distress alert and intervened before the abducted individuals could be taken farther away from the community.
Rescued victims handed over to community leaders
After the operation, the rescued individuals were profiled by the military before being handed over to community leaders for reunification with their families.
The profiling process formed part of the post-rescue procedures carried out before the victims were released to local representatives.
The task force did not provide further details about the identities of the rescued persons, the circumstances surrounding their abduction or how long they had been held by their captors.
It also did not disclose whether any of the suspected kidnappers were arrested during the pursuit.
Nevertheless, the military described the operation as part of its continuing efforts to prevent terrorist groups from operating freely and to improve the protection of residents in communities exposed to security threats.
The rescue comes amid continuing military operations aimed at confronting armed groups and addressing insecurity in parts of Nigeria’s North-West.
Separate eencounter in Kankara
In another operation carried out on October 16, troops on a fighting patrol around Kurba village in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State encountered suspected terrorists travelling on three motorcycles.
According to the task force, the armed men fled after sighting the approaching soldiers.
During their escape, the suspects abandoned one of the motorcycles, which was recovered by the troops.
The military did not disclose the identities of the individuals involved in the encounter or provide information about any arrests or casualties.
It also did not establish whether the suspects encountered around Kurba village were connected to the group involved in the abduction in Gamji community.
The two incidents were presented as separate operations conducted by troops working to restrict the activities of armed groups within their area of responsibility.
The recovery of the motorcycle adds to the operational outcome of the patrol, although the task force did not provide further information about the vehicle or its possible use in criminal activities.
Military rreaffirms commitment to security
The Joint Task Force said the operations reflected its continued determination to deny terrorists freedom of action and protect vulnerable communities across its operational area.
The Theatre Commander of Operation FANSAN YAMMA commended the troops for their response to the distress call and their conduct during the operations.
The commander also reassured residents of Katsina, Zamfara and neighbouring states that the task force remained committed to supporting efforts to restore lasting peace and security.
The assurance comes as residents in parts of the North-West continue to face security concerns associated with kidnappings, armed attacks and the movement of criminal groups.
Military operations in the region have focused on confronting armed groups, responding to reported threats and preventing attacks on communities.
The task force’s latest statement emphasised the importance of maintaining pressure on terrorists and responding promptly to information about their activities.
Importance of community cooperation
The rescue of the 27 victims also highlights the role that timely information can play in enabling security personnel to respond to incidents involving suspected terrorists.
In this case, the distress call alerted troops to the situation in Gamji, prompting their mobilisation and pursuit of the suspected abductors.
While the statement did not identify the source of the alert, the sequence of events demonstrated how reports of suspicious activities can help security agencies intervene when communities face immediate threats.
Residents can support security efforts by reporting credible information about suspected criminal activities to the appropriate authorities while avoiding actions that could expose them to danger.
For the rescued individuals, their handover to community leaders marked the next stage of their return to their families following the military intervention.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA has reiterated its commitment to protecting civilians and disrupting terrorist activities across the North-West.
The latest operations in Sabuwa and Kankara underline the continuing security challenges facing Katsina State, as well as the importance of sustained patrols, timely intelligence and coordinated responses to threats against local communities.
