The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has disclosed that troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, recorded significant operational successes across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano and Sokoto States during the month of July, rescuing 191 kidnapped victims, neutralising 33 terrorists, and arresting 66 suspected terrorists and collaborators.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday during the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s monthly operational briefing in Abuja, saying the sustained operations underscore the military’s commitment to protecting lives, property and Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs, Major General Onoja said troops maintained aggressive offensive operations throughout July, targeting terrorist enclaves, criminal hideouts and kidnapping networks across the North-West.
He revealed that on 5 July, troops engaged armed terrorists during a fighting patrol in Damari village, Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State, recovering two motorcycles and ammunition. On 7 July, troops intercepted terrorists between Danmusa and Yantumaki in Katsina State, recovering two AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines and a motorcycle.
Similarly, troops conducted a targeted raid in Sabon Gari, Kaura Namoda LGA of Zamfara State, neutralising one terrorist while recovering two AK-47 rifles, two RPG rockets and a motorcycle.
In another breakthrough, troops arrested suspects transporting Improvised Explosive Device (IED) components in Shanawa, Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State, while a wanted terrorist collaborator, Abubakar Tanimu, was apprehended at a cattle market in Dogon Dawa, Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State, with a motorcycle, mobile phone and cash recovered.
The military also recorded major successes in rescue operations throughout the month.
Among those rescued were a female victim abducted from Gora village in Chikun LGA, eight commuters kidnapped in Ungwan Rogo village, five abductees rescued from a terrorist camp near Tungan Kudaduku, Mahadi Haruna abducted from his father’s farm in Zurmi LGA, and eleven civilians rescued after terrorists blocked the Gummi–Sokoto Road.
Between 25 and 27 July, troops intensified rescue operations following a series of kidnapping incidents across Zamfara, Katsina and Kano States.
Major General Onoja disclosed that troops rescued members of the family of a Local Government Chairman abducted in Bungudu LGA, while another operation in Magama village, Kaura Namoda LGA, led to the rescue of 48 abducted civilians.
Troops also secured the release of a kidnapped victim in Charanchi LGA of Katsina State and rescued 10 of 13 passengers abducted from a commercial bus along the Kano–Kaduna corridor in Falgore Forest, with search operations continuing for the remaining victims.
He further disclosed that between 28 and 29 July, troops neutralised 15 terrorists during coordinated operations across Kaura Namoda LGA of Zamfara State and Rabah LGA of Sokoto State, while rescuing 59 civilians, including the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda, Dr. Aminu Yusuf, members of his family, prominent businessman Alhaji Azaria, and 21 residents of Tungan Dorawa community after repelling a coordinated kidnapping attempt.
In a related operation conducted jointly with Police tactical units, troops rescued 32 additional abducted victims—comprising six adult males and 26 women and children—at Maikujera Village in Rabah LGA of Sokoto State after a prolonged firefight forced terrorists to abandon their captives and flee into the forest.
Major General Onoja reaffirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to sustaining offensive operations against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements until lasting peace and security are restored across the country.
