SAA event in Nigeria on Mon 7th September 2026

Troops rescue 12 kidnapped victims, foil abduction attempts in Zamfara 

By Zagazola Makama 

Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 12 civilians during separate operations against terrorists in Kaura Namoda and Tsafe Local Government Areas of Zamfara State.

The operations, conducted on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, followed distress calls and intelligence indicating attempts by terrorists to abduct civilians in the two local government areas.

In the first incident, troops responded to a distress call after terrorists infiltrated a residence at Tsohon Tasha in Kaura Namoda LGA.

The troops swiftly mobilised to the area and engaged the terrorists in a gun battle, forcing them to abandon six abducted civilians and flee across a nearby river.

The rescued victims were subsequently evacuated to a safe location and later reunited with their families.

In a separate operation in Tsafe LGA, troops monitoring activities along the Main Supply Route observed terrorists attempting to intercept a Sharon vehicle at Kwanoni Village.

The troops immediately moved to the location and engaged the terrorists, forcing them to abort the abduction attempt and withdraw into the adjoining bush.

Six civilians were subsequently rescued during the operation.

The two incidents underscore the continued efforts by troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to deny terrorist elements freedom of movement and prevent them from carrying out attacks and abductions against communities and road users across the Joint Operations Area.

The operations also demonstrate the importance of rapid response to distress calls and timely intelligence in disrupting terrorist activities and safeguarding civilians.

The Joint Task Force has continued to maintain pressure on terrorist elements through patrols, surveillance and other security operations across Zamfara and other parts of the North-West.

Operation FANSAN YAMMA has therefore urged members of the public to sustain their cooperation with security agencies by providing credible and timely information on suspicious movements and activities.

The Theatre said such collaboration remained critical to tracking terrorist elements, disrupting their operations and ultimately eliminating their presence within the Joint Operations Area.