9 Kidnap Victims Escape After Abductors Fall Asleep In Katsina Forest

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have successfully intercepted and rescued nine escaped kidnap victims, recovered 56 rustled livestock, and arrested a suspected terrorist during intelligence-driven operations in Katsina State.

The breakthrough was announced in an official statement issued on Friday by the Joint Task Force's Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja .

Troops of Sector 2 on a fighting patrol in Faskari Local Government Area intercepted nine victims (three women, four men, and two children). They had been kidnapped on July 9, 2026, along the Tsafe–Kuchere Road in Zamfara State but managed to flee their captors' enclave when the terrorists fell asleep.

During a separate intervention against bandits in the Bakori Local Government Area, the military forced the criminals to flee, recovering 56 rustled animals consisting of four cattle and 52 sheep.

Soldiers also captured a suspected terrorist during routine operations in the Danmusa Local Government Area, seizing materials linking him directly to insurgent networks.

“The suspect is currently in military custody and is undergoing further investigation.” Danja said.

Commending the troops, the Theatre Commander of Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, praised their professionalism, vigilance and resilience in sustaining pressure on criminal groups across the North West.

He reiterated the commitment of the Joint Task Force to sustain intelligence-driven operations in collaboration with other security agencies and law-abiding citizens until terrorism and other criminal activities are decisively defeated in the region.

The Nigerian Army's task force continues to expand its offensive operations to deny criminal networks any freedom of movement across the North West.