Soldiers foil terrorist attack in Sokoto, rescue two victims

n n

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

n

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

n

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

n

He said the suspect was found with a large quantity of illicit drugs and other substances while travelling to Birnin Gwari.

n

“The suspect and recovered items are currently in troops’ custody for further investigation,” Danja said.

n

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.

n

Danja said the troops engaged the terrorists and forced them to retreat while rescuing two kidnapped victims.

n

“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.

n

He added that troops subsequently received intelligence indicating that the terrorists were attempting to regroup and immediately moved to the location.

n

“Troops swiftly mobilised to the location, where they re-established contact and engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to withdraw,” Danja said.

n

During the subsequent exploitation of the area, the troops recovered 157 rounds of PKT ammunition, phone batteries and other items.

n

The JTF said the development underscored the troops’ continued efforts to disrupt terrorist activities and deny criminal elements freedom of movement within the North-West.

n

According to Danja, the Theatre Commander commended the troops for their “gallantry and professionalism” in sustaining the operational successes.

n

The commander, he said, “remains resolute in denying terrorists and criminal elements freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area.”

n

The JTF further appealed to residents to support security agencies by providing useful intelligence.

n

“Members of the public are urged to continue providing timely and credible information to security forces in support of ongoing operations,” Danja said.

n n