Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY) have rescued nine kidnapped victims, recovered 56 animals, and arrested one suspected terrorists in separate operations in Katsina State.

Troops of Sector 2 on fighting patrol rescued the nine kidnapped victims, comprising three women, four men, and two children in Faskari Local Government Area of the state.

According to the Media Information Officer of OPFY, Lt.-Col. Aliyu Danja, preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted by the terrorists on 9 July 2026 along the Tsafe–Kuchere Road in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The victims disclosed that they escaped from the terrorists’ enclave after their captors fell asleep, before being intercepted and rescued by the troops. Danja said the victims are currently in safe custody and are being processed for reunification with their families.

In the other operation, Danja said that troops responded swiftly to terrorists attempting to rustle livestock in Bakori Local Government Area. He said on sighting the troops, the terrorists opened fire but were overwhelmed by the superior firepower and fled into the surrounding bush.

He said the terrorists abandoned 56 rustled livestock, comprising four cattle and fifty-two sheep, adding that the recovered livestock are in troops’ custody, pending handover to local authorities.

Danja said the troops arrested a suspected terrorist during routine operational activities in Danmusa Local Government Area. “Preliminary exploitation of items recovered from the suspect revealed materials suspected to have links with terrorist activities. The suspect is currently in military custody and undergoing further investigation.”

The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, commended the troops for their professionalism, vigilance, and resilience in sustaining pressure on criminal elements across the theatre.

He restated the resolve of the Joint Task Force to sustain intelligence-driven operations in collaboration with other security agencies and law-abiding citizens, until terrorism and other forms of criminality are decisively defeated in the North West region.