Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued 23 kidnapped victims and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group during separate operations in Sokoto State.
The troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West, also foiled terrorist attacks in Wurno, Sabon Birni and Isa local government areas, according to a statement by the Media Information Officer, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, on Monday.
The troops on Sunday responded to an attack on Sabon Gari in Wurno Local Government Area, where terrorists invaded the community and opened fire, forcing residents to flee.
The troops engaged the terrorists and forced them to withdraw from the area, rescuing six kidnapped victims in the process. One civilian who sustained a gunshot wound was also evacuated to a medical facility.
In Sabon Birni Local Government Area, the troops responded to intelligence that terrorists were attempting to cross the Sabon Birni-Takatsaba Road around Chabe Biyu. They laid an ambush along the terrorists’ expected route and engaged them with firepower, forcing them to flee.
Similarly, troops responding to a distress call over terrorist activities along the Isa-Kwanar Isa-Shinkafi Road engaged the terrorists and forced them to withdraw. A subsequent search of the area led to the rescue of 17 kidnapped civilians.
One of the rescued victims, who sustained a fracture, was evacuated to the General Hospital, Isa, for treatment.
In another operation in Illela Local Government Area, troops arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa group who were allegedly moving rustled cattle from Sarma Village towards Illela. Six cows were recovered from the suspects.
The statement said the suspects and recovered livestock were in military custody for further investigation, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the group.
