Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, operating under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued six kidnap victims after engaging suspected terrorists in a gun battle in Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The victims were rescued on Wednesday, September 2, following credible intelligence about the presence of terrorists at Mehinua Village along the Wasagu-Ayu Road.
The Joint Task Force Media Information Officer, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday.
Danja said troops of Sector 2 were immediately mobilised to the area after receiving the intelligence and subsequently made contact with the suspected terrorists.
He said the encounter resulted in a fierce exchange of gunfire, forcing the terrorists to retreat and abandon the kidnapped victims.
“Following the engagement, troops successfully rescued the six kidnapped victims unharmed,” the statement said.
The military said the rescued victims, alongside the vehicle involved in the incident, were subsequently handed over to relevant community authorities for further necessary action.
The operation, according to the task force, demonstrated the commitment of troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA to protecting lives and property and disrupting the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements within its Joint Operations Area.
The military urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to the nearest security outpost to enable security personnel to respond swiftly to emerging threats.