By Odita Sunday
Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued two female kidnap victims and recovered 94 rustled livestock in separate operations across Kaduna and Kano States.
The operations, conducted on August 25 and 26, 2026, also disrupted terrorist activities in the two states, with troops recovering a motorcycle abandoned by terrorists during a failed ambush in Kaduna State.
The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West) Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel ALIYU DANJA, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
In Kaduna State, troops of Sector 1, while conducting a clearance operation in Kachia Local Government Area on August 25, encountered terrorists who attempted to ambush the advancing troops.
According to the statement, the troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the terrorists to flee the area.
During the subsequent exploitation of the area, the troops recovered a motorcycle reportedly abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.
In a separate operation the same day, troops responded to a distress call over the abduction of three civilians and the rustling of livestock around Hayin Babangida in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The troops reportedly tracked and engaged the terrorists, resulting in the rescue of two female victims who were subsequently reunited with their families.
However, the third victim, a male, was found with a gunshot wound allegedly inflicted by the terrorists and died while being evacuated for medical attention.
Meanwhile, in Kano State, troops of Sector 1 responded to reports of terrorist activities in Gwarzo Local Government Area, where terrorists had reportedly rustled livestock from a community.
The troops pursued the fleeing terrorists and made contact with them as they attempted to escape from the area.
The terrorists, overwhelmed by the troops’ superior firepower, reportedly fled in disarray, abandoning the rustled livestock.
Further exploitation of the area on August 26 led to the recovery of additional livestock, bringing the total recovered to 94 animals comprising 57 cows and 37 sheep.
The recovered livestock were subsequently handed over to their rightful owners in the presence of representatives of security agencies and local government authorities.
The Joint Task Force said the operations demonstrated its determination to sustain pressure on terrorist and criminal elements while protecting lives and livelihoods across the Joint Operations Area.
It added that troops would continue to conduct intelligence-driven operations, aggressive patrols and rapid responses to threats against communities across the North West.
The Joint Task Force also commended members of the public for their continued support and urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information on suspicious activities to security forces.
It said public cooperation remained critical to ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and restore lasting peace and security across the North West region.Editorial assessment: This version is suitable for a national newspaper, online news platform or security/defence desk. The lead foregrounds the two strongest developments the rescue of the victims and recovery of 94 livestock while the death of the third victim is handled prominently but sensitively.
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