SOLDIERS RESCUE 23 KIDNAPPED VICTIMS, ARREST FOUR SUSPECTED LAKURAWA MEMBERS IN SOKOTO

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.

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

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

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

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

According to him, one civilian who sustained a gunshot wound during the attack was evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.

The military spokesman also said troops responded to intelligence about an attempted movement by terrorists along the Sabon Birni–Takatsaba Road around Chabe Biyu in Sabon Birni LGA.

He said the troops established an ambush along the suspected route and engaged the terrorists after sighting them, forcing the attackers to flee.

Danja said the troops subsequently maintained a presence in the area to prevent the terrorists from regrouping and carrying out further attacks.

In another operation, troops rescued 17 kidnapped civilians after responding to a distress call concerning terrorist activities along the Isa–Kwanar Isa–Shinkafi Road in Isa LGA.

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

The military spokesman said further exploitation of the area led to the rescue of the 17 victims. One of the rescued civilians, who sustained a fracture, was evacuated to the General Hospital, Isa, for medical treatment.

Danja also disclosed that troops arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group in Illela LGA.

According to him, the arrests followed intelligence about the suspects’ movement while they were allegedly driving a herd of rustled cattle from Sarma Village towards Illela.

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

The suspects and recovered livestock were taken into military custody for further investigation and necessary action, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the group.

Danja said the operations demonstrated the impact of intelligence-driven and proactive military action in disrupting terrorist activities and rescuing kidnapped civilians.

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