Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, sustained offensive operations against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States throughout September 2026.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja, saying the operations resulted in the neutralisation of seven terrorists, arrest of 26 others and rescue of 171 kidnapped victims during the month.
The troops also disrupted terrorist logistics and arms-trafficking networks, with operations targeting terrorist hideouts and kingpins in Yantumaki Forest in Katsina, Magarya Forest and Gundumi Road in Sokoto, as well as areas around Gumki Village in Kebbi State. Several weapons, including rifles, a machine gun, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and ammunition, were recovered.
Major rescue operations were also recorded across the theatre. On September 3, troops rescued 23 abducted civilians who had reportedly been held for about three weeks at Wuya Town in Anka LGA of Zamfara State. On September 17, a Nigerian Air Force jet disrupted terrorists moving with a large number of kidnapped victims in the Bazama area of Kebbi State, allowing more than 60 victims to escape.
Other rescue operations resulted in the recovery of victims along the Ruwan Godiya-Mobai Road in Katsina, Danhonu 2 in Kaduna, Sekpore Village in Zamfara, and Birnin Gwari in Kaduna. Among those rescued on September 24 was the Executive Chairman of Bungudu LGA, Zamfara State.
In related operations, troops arrested suspected terrorist logistics suppliers, collaborators and informants, including an ammunition courier found with 300 rounds of ammunition. They also recovered ₦2.7 million allegedly intended for a terrorist kingpin in Faskari, Katsina State.
According to Onoja, the operation recorded 230 terrorists neutralised, 147 arrested and 508 kidnapped victims rescued cumulatively during the quarter.
