How Troops Rescued 31 Kidnap Victims Across Katsina, Kebbi
Nigerian troops have rescued 31 kidnapped civilians in separate operations across Katsina and Kebbi states, forcing some of the abductors to abandon their victims and flee.
The operations, carried out under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, were conducted as troops intensified efforts to disrupt terrorist and kidnapping activities across the North-West.
In Katsina State, 10 kidnapped civilians were rescued after troops pursued terrorists who were fleeing with their captives.
The victims were abducted from Unguwan Daudu and Unguwan Chibauna communities in Funtua Local Government Area.
According to the military, troops of Sector 2 received actionable intelligence about the abduction and deployed around the Sabuwa axis to intercept the terrorists.
The sustained pursuit put pressure on the kidnappers, who eventually abandoned the victims and escaped into the surrounding area.
The rescued group comprised three adult males, six females and an infant.
The victims were taken to safety and are expected to be handed over to the Sabuwa Local Government authorities for medical evaluation and further support before being reunited with their families.
The Katsina operation highlights the role of timely intelligence in enabling troops to respond to kidnapping incidents before victims are moved farther into areas controlled by criminal groups.
21 victims rescued in Kebbi
A separate operation in Kebbi State led to the rescue of 21 kidnapped civilians.
The victims had been abducted from Fafala Village in Kangiwa Local Government Area of the state.
Troops operating in the area engaged in a coordinated operation that resulted in the recovery of the victims from captivity.
The Kebbi rescue formed part of wider military operations aimed at denying terrorists and other criminal groups freedom of movement across the North-West.
The rescue of the 21 victims brings the number of civilians freed in the two states to 31.
The military has continued to rely on intelligence-led patrols and offensive operations in Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna and other parts of the region as kidnapping and terrorism remain persistent security challenges.
Troops also target suspected terrorists
Beyond the rescue operations, the military reported other successes during the operations.
In Katsina, troops killed two suspected terrorists, including a man identified by the military as Abbah Alhassan, who was described as a terrorist kingpin.
Two other suspected terrorists were arrested during the operations.
The military said the operations were part of efforts to disrupt terrorist networks and prevent them from maintaining hideouts and operational routes across the North-West.
The latest operations come amid a series of military actions in the region in recent weeks, with troops recording several rescues and engagements with suspected terrorists and kidnappers.
Earlier in September, troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA also rescued 25 kidnapped victims in separate operations in Katsina and Zamfara states. In that operation, two victims were rescued in Katsina, while 23 others were freed in Zamfara after reportedly spending about three weeks in captivity.
The military has repeatedly urged residents to provide credible and timely information to security agencies, saying intelligence from communities remains important to the success of operations against criminal groups.
For the 31 victims rescued in Katsina and Kebbi, the immediate priority is their safety, medical assessment and reunification with their families after their periods in captivity.
The latest development therefore represents not only a military operation against suspected terrorists but also the recovery of civilians who had been taken from their communities and held against their will.