…Safely dispose IED planted in Zamfara

Troops of Sector 1 Operation Fansan Yamma have rescued two kidnapped victims and recovered 94 rustled livestock in separate operations conducted on 25 and 26 August 2026 in Kaduna and Kano states.

In Kaduna, the troops conducting a clearance operation on 25 August 2026 in Kachia Local Government Area encountered terrorists who attempted to ambush the advancing troops and responded with superior firepower, forcing the terrorists to flee.

The Media Information Officer for Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt.-Col. Aliyu Danja, said that exploitation of the area led to the recovery of a motorcycle abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.

He said that in another operation on 25 August 2026, the troops responded swiftly to a distress call on the abduction of three civilians and rustling of livestock around Hayin Babangida in Igabi Local Government Area.

According to Danja, the troops tracked and engaged the terrorists, leading to the successful rescue of two female victims who were subsequently reunited with their families.

He, however, said that sadly, the third victim, a male, found with a gunshot wound inflicted by the terrorists died while being evacuated for medical attention.

In Kano, Danja said that on 25 August 2026, troops responded to reports of terrorist activities in Gwarzo Local Government Area, where the terrorists had rustled livestock from a community.

“The troops pursued the terrorists and made contact with them as they attempted to escape from the area. Overwhelmed by the troops’ superior firepower, the terrorists fled in disarray and abandoned the rustled livestock.

“Further exploitation of the area on 26 August 2026 resulted in the recovery of additional livestock, bringing the total recovery to 94 – 57 cows and 37 sheep. The livestock were subsequently handed over to their rightful owners in the presence of representatives of security agencies and local government authorities,” he said.

He said those operations underscored the determination of Operation Fansan Yamma to sustain pressure on terrorist and criminal elements while protecting lives and livelihoods across its area of responsibility.

Meanwhile, the troops of Sector 2 on 27 August, safely disposed an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by terrorist along a major access route in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The troops identified the explosive device, secured the area to prevent harm to road users and successfully facilitated the safe disposal of the IED by an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team.

Danja said that after the disposal, they sustained aggressive patrols in the general area to deny terrorists freedom of action.

He said the joint task force will take the fight to the criminal elements through intelligence-driven operations, aggressive patrols and rapid response to threats against communities.