One Civilian Killed As Soldiers Rescue 48 Kidnap Victims In Zamfara

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 48 kidnapped residents after repelling a large-scale terrorist attack on Magami village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The military said the operation was launched in the early hours of Sunday following a distress call reporting that scores of terrorists riding about 40 motorcycles had stormed the community and abducted dozens of residents.

According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, troops of Sector 2 responded swiftly to the emergency and confronted the attackers in a fierce gun battle.

The terrorists, who had reportedly rounded up residents with the intention of taking them into the bush while another group waited on the outskirts of the village with motorcycles, were forced to abandon their captives and flee into the surrounding forest after coming under heavy military fire.

“The prompt intervention led to the successful rescue of all 48 abducted civilians,’’ the statement said.

Despite the successful rescue operation, the military disclosed that one civilian was killed during the attack, while two others sustained gunshot injuries.

The injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital in Kaura Namoda, where they are receiving treatment.

Following the operation, troops carried out aggressive patrols across the area to prevent further attacks and maintain security.

The Theatre Command commended the troops for their courage and professionalism, describing the operation as another demonstration of the military's resolve to combat terrorism and protect communities across the North West.

It also urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence to sustain ongoing efforts to eliminate terrorist elements from the region.