Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have recorded fresh successes in ongoing operations against terrorism and banditry in the North West, neutralising armed terrorists, rescuing abducted civilians and recovering weapons, motorcycles and rustled livestock.

The troops achieved the feats during coordinated operations carried out across Sokoto and Katsina States, according to a statement issued on Monday by the Media and Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja.

The statement disclosed that the first operation took place on June 21 when armed terrorists attempted to infiltrate Tureta town in Sokoto State.

It noted that troops, acting on credible intelligence, swiftly moved to confront the attackers, forcing them to abandon their mission and retreat.

According to the statement, aerial surveillance later tracked the fleeing terrorists to Sulubawa Gidan Kare village, where they were sighted moving with abducted civilians and rustled livestock.

The troops launched a pursuit but encountered an ambush by the terrorists. Despite the attack, the soldiers fought through the ambush, forcing the criminals to scatter.

The operation resulted in the rescue of the abducted victims, recovery of the rustled cattle and seizure of two motorcycles belonging to the terrorists.

In a separate operation in Katsina State, troops carried out an intelligence-led dawn raid on a terrorist hideout in Matazu Local Government Area in the early hours of June 22.

The statement said the surprise attack overwhelmed the terrorists, leading to the death of two of them, while several others escaped with gunshot injuries.

During a search of the hideout, troops recovered one PKT assault rifle, one AK-47 rifle with ammunition, three motorcycles, mobile communication devices, rustled livestock and other items believed to have been used to support the terrorists’ activities.

The Joint Task Force said the latest operations demonstrate the commitment of troops to dismantling terrorist networks, restricting their activities and restoring peace and security across the North West region.

It added that offensive operations against criminal elements would continue.