Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have arrested three suspected terrorist logistics couiers and rescued 14 kidnapped victims during separate operations in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The operation also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, 30 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle, three mobile phones and N2.7 million suspected to be ransom money.
The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement issued.
According to Danja, troops of Sector 2 intercepted three suspects travelling on a motorcycle in Faskari on September 24.
He said preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspects were allegedly conveying N2.7 million suspected to be ransom money, alongside three mobile phones, for onward transfer to a terrorist kingpin through intermediaries in the area.
“The suspects, and the recovered items are in military custody for further investigation,” the statement said.
In a separate operation on September 25, troops of Sector 2 reportedly acted on credible intelligence concerning the movement of terrorists in Faskari Local Government Area.
The troops subsequently established an ambush position and engaged the terrorists, forcing them to flee in disarray.
Danja said troops later conducted an exploitation of the area and recovered one AK-47 rifle, 30 rounds of ammunition and one motorcycle.
In another operation on the same day, troops conducting a routine patrol intercepted and rescued 14 kidnapped victims in the local government area.
The rescued victims comprised 12 males and 2 females.
According to the statement, preliminary investigations shows that the victims had earlier been abducted from Angwan Miko and Tafoki villages in Faskari Local Government Area.
The military said the victims were abandoned by their abductors after the terrorists sighted the advancing troops.
“The victims were reportedly abandoned by the terrorists upon sighting the advancing troops. They were subsequently rescued and handed over to the Faskari Local Government authorities for further necessary action,” Danja said.
The latest operations form part of the ongoing military campaign against terrorist and criminal activities in the North-West.
The Theatre Command said the successes underscored Operation FANSAN YAMMA’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of citizens, rescuing persons held in terrorist captivity and denying terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action across its Joint Operations Area.
The command also commended the troops for what it described as their vigilance, courage and prompt response during the operations.
It urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies about suspicious movements and activities within their communities.
