TROOPS RESCUE SIX UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND DRIVER AFTER KATSINA ABDUCTION

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued seven people, including six students of the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, and a commercial driver who were abducted by armed kidnappers in Katsina State. The victims were travelling in a commercial vehicle from Kaduna to Katsina when the attackers intercepted the vehicle along the Daye–Malumfashi road in Danmusa Local Government Area. The incident occurred as security forces continued operations against kidnapping and other criminal activities across the North-West.

The Deputy Director of Information, Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, 8 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olamiyi Osoba, disclosed the development in a statement made available to journalists on Monday. According to him, troops received a distress call about the attack on the evening of September 21, 2026, and immediately moved to the location. Their rapid response put pressure on the kidnappers, forcing the armed men to abandon the victims and escape from the area before security personnel could apprehend them.

Osoba said all seven victims were recovered safely and without injuries. Following the rescue, the students and the driver were subjected to preliminary security profiling and medical evaluation as part of the procedures for establishing their condition and ensuring their safety. The rescued victims were subsequently handed over to designated officials who would facilitate their reunion with their families and the relevant authorities at the university.

The attack occurred on a route connecting Kaduna and Katsina and adds to the security challenges faced by travellers using major roads in parts of the North-West. The Daye–Malumfashi axis passes through Danmusa Local Government Area, where security agencies have continued to maintain operations aimed at preventing kidnappings and other violent crimes. The quick response to the distress call enabled the troops to intervene before the abductors could move the victims farther away from the scene.

The Army said the rescue formed part of the ongoing efforts by Operation FANSAN YAMMA to disrupt kidnapping networks and other criminal activities in the region. The operation continues to cover areas considered vulnerable to attacks, with troops responding to intelligence reports and emergency calls from communities and travellers. Authorities said the latest rescue underscores the continuing security operations aimed at protecting civilians and improving safety along major routes in Katsina and other parts of the North-West.
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