Soldiers rescue 23 kidnapped victims, arrest four suspected Lakurawa members in Sokoto

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Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have rescued 23 kidnapped victims and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group during separate operations across Sokoto State.

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The operations, conducted on Sunday, also saw the troops foil attempted terrorist attacks in Wurno, Sabon Birni and Isa Local Government Areas of the state.

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The Media Information Officer of JTF North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt-Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.

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Danja said troops of Sector 2 responded to a terrorist attack on Sabon Gari in Wurno LGA, where terrorists invaded the community and opened sporadic fire, forcing residents to flee.

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He said the troops engaged the attackers and forced them to withdraw, while six kidnapped victims were rescued during the operation.

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“During the operation, troops rescued six kidnapped victims. One civilian who sustained a gunshot wound during the attack was evacuated to a medical facility for treatment,” he said.

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According to him, troops also responded to intelligence about an attempted movement by terrorists along the Sabon Birni–Takatsaba Road around Chabe Biyu in Sabon Birni LGA.

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He said the troops established an ambush along the terrorists’ likely axis of advance and engaged them on sighting, forcing the attackers to flee.

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“Troops engaged the terrorists with firepower on sighting, forcing them to flee in disarray. Troops dominate the general area in order to deny the terrorists freedom of action,” Danja stated.

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The military spokesman further disclosed that troops rescued 17 kidnapped civilians after responding to a distress call concerning terrorist activities along the Isa–Kwanar Isa–Shinkafi Road in Isa LGA.

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He said the troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them, forcing them to withdraw.

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“Exploitation of the area led to the rescue of 17 kidnapped civilians. One of the rescued victims, who sustained a fracture, was immediately evacuated to the General Hospital, Isa, for medical attention,” he said.

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Danja added that troops also arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group in Illela LGA following intelligence on their movement while allegedly driving a herd of rustled cattle from Sarma Village towards Illela.

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He said troops established a snap checkpoint along the suspected route, leading to the arrest of the four suspects and recovery of six cows.

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“The suspects and recovered livestock are currently in military custody for further investigation and necessary action, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the group,” he said.

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The JTF spokesman said the latest operations demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-driven and proactive military operations aimed at disrupting terrorist activities and rescuing kidnapped civilians.

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He added that troops would continue to sustain pressure on terrorist elements and protect communities within their area of responsibility.

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