Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 23 kidnapped civilians and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group during separate operations across Sokoto State.The operations, carried out on Sunday, September 20, 2026, also disrupted attempted terrorist movements and resulted in the recovery of six cattle allegedly rustled by terrorists.

In Wurno Local Government Area, troops responded to an attack on Sabon Gari, where armed men invaded the community and opened fire, forcing residents to flee.The troops engaged the attackers and compelled them to withdraw from the area, rescuing six kidnapped civilians in the process. A civilian who sustained a gunshot wound during the attack was evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.

In another operation, troops acting on intelligence intercepted an attempted terrorist movement along the Sabon Birni–Taketsaba Road around Chabe Biyu in Sabon Birni Local Government Area. Soldiers established an ambush along the suspected route and engaged the terrorists after sighting them, forcing the attackers to flee. Troops subsequently maintained a presence in the area to prevent the terrorists from regrouping.

Military spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said the operation demonstrated the troops’ readiness to respond swiftly to intelligence on terrorist movements and prevent attacks.

“Troops engaged the terrorists with firepower on sighting, forcing them to flee in disarray. Troops dominate the general area in order to deny the terrorists freedom of action,” Danja said.

In Isa Local Government Area, troops responding to a distress call over terrorist activities along the Isa–Kwanar Isa–Shinkafi Road also engaged the attackers and forced them to retreat.A subsequent search of the area resulted in the rescue of 17 kidnapped civilians, taking the total number of rescued victims from the operations to 23.

One of the rescued victims, who sustained a fracture, was evacuated to General Hospital, Isa, for medical attention. Meanwhile, an intelligence-led operation in Illela Local Government Area led to the arrest of four suspected Lakurawa members and the recovery of six cattle allegedly rustled by the group.

Troops had received information that suspected members of the group were moving the cattle from Sarma Village towards Illela. Soldiers established a snap checkpoint along the suspected route and intercepted the movement.

The four suspects and the recovered livestock were taken into military custody for further investigation, while troops continued efforts to apprehend other members of the group who escaped.

Danja said the operations reflected the sustained efforts of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to disrupt terrorist activities, rescue civilians held in captivity and restrict the movement of criminal elements across the Joint Operations Area.He said the latest successes underscored the effectiveness of intelligence-driven and proactive operations by the troops.

“The latest successes underscore the effectiveness of intelligence-driven and proactive operations being conducted by troops of Sector 2 OPFY to disrupt terrorist activities, rescue kidnapped civilians and deny terrorists freedom of movement across the Joint Operations Area,” he said.

Danja added that the troops remained committed to sustaining pressure on terrorist elements and protecting communities within their area of responsibility as security forces continued offensive and intelligence-led operations across the North-West.