SAA event in Nigeria on Mon 16th February 2026

Operation FANSAN YANMA troops rescue kidnapped residents, recover 30 sheep in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama 

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, alongside other joint security forces, successfully rescued ten residents abducted by suspected armed bandits in Madakin Hurya village, Kankara Local Government Area, and recovered 30 rustled sheep.

Sources said that at about 11:00 p.m. on Feb. 16, 2026, armed bandits attacked the village, abducting residents and stealing livestock. Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, in coordination with Police and Civil Watch (CWATCH) units, were immediately deployed to the area and intercepted the assailants at the outskirts of the village.

A sustained gunfight ensued, forcing the bandits to flee into Gidan Jakibush with varying degrees of gunshot injuries. The operation led to the safe rescue of all ten kidnapped victims, including Nasiru Yau, 50; Salisu Umar, 45; Habiba Ibrahim, 13; and seven others. Thirty stolen sheep were recovered and returned to the community.

Normalcy has been restored in Madakin Hurya, while cordon-and-search operations continue to track and apprehend the fleeing bandits. Further updates are expected.