Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have rescued 14 kidnapped victims during a counter-terrorism operation in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The victims, made up of six males and eight females, were rescued on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, after troops acted on credible intelligence about the movement of terrorists with kidnapped persons around Madaci Forest.
The operation is part of ongoing efforts by the military to tackle terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in Katsina and other states in the North-West, where criminal groups have continued to attack rural communities and abduct residents.
The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lt-Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed the rescue in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Danja said troops were mobilised to the area after receiving information about the movement of the terrorists and their captives.
According to him, the soldiers moved swiftly towards Madaci Forest and made contact with the terrorists.
The troops engaged the terrorists in a gun battle, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee into the surrounding bushes.
“Following exploitation of the area, troops successfully rescued 14 victims comprising six males and eight females,” Danja said.
He disclosed that preliminary investigation showed that the victims were abducted from different locations within the Dandume, Bakori and Funtua general areas of Katsina State.
The victims were subsequently handed over to the appropriate local authorities for necessary action and reunification with their families.
The military did not disclose whether any of the terrorists were killed or arrested during the operation.
The latest rescue adds to a series of military operations against criminal groups operating across the North-West, a region that has faced years of attacks by bandits and other armed groups.
Katsina has been one of the states badly affected by kidnapping and banditry, with criminal groups often targeting farming communities, travellers and residents of remote settlements.
Large forest areas in the state and neighbouring states have also been used as hideouts by armed groups. Security agencies have repeatedly conducted operations in these forests to locate and dismantle the camps of terrorists and bandits.
The Dandume, Bakori and Funtua areas have also experienced attacks and kidnappings in the past, forcing many communities to depend heavily on security agencies for protection.
The latest operation highlights the importance of intelligence gathering in the fight against kidnapping and terrorism. The troops were able to locate the terrorists after receiving information about their movement with the victims.
The military has in recent months continued to stress the need for members of the public to provide security agencies with timely information about suspicious movements and criminal activities.
Such information, security officials say, can help troops respond quickly before kidnappers move their victims deeper into forests or other difficult-to-reach areas.
Danja described the rescue as evidence of the determination of troops to protect lives and prevent terrorists from carrying out criminal activities within the joint operations area.
He said the military would continue to sustain pressure on terrorist elements across the North-West.
“The Theatre Command reassures the public that troops will continue to sustain pressure on terrorist elements and intensify operations to safeguard communities across the North West,” he said.
Operation Fansan Yamma is one of the military operations focused on addressing insecurity in the North-West. Its activities include counter-terrorism operations, raids on criminal hideouts, rescue missions and efforts to disrupt the movement and activities of armed groups.
The military has also been working with other security agencies and local communities as part of efforts to improve security in affected areas.
The continued presence of armed criminal groups in parts of Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto and neighbouring states has remained a major security challenge.
Kidnapping for ransom has particularly affected rural residents, with many farmers and traders facing the risk of attacks while travelling between communities.
The security situation has also affected economic activities in some communities, as fear of attacks has discouraged residents from travelling to farms or markets.
The Federal Government and security agencies have repeatedly said they are working to restore peace in the affected areas and enable residents to return to normal economic activities.
For the families of the 14 victims rescued in Sabuwa, the operation brings relief after the ordeal of abduction.
The victims are expected to undergo the necessary processes before being reunited with their families.
The military, meanwhile, said it would maintain pressure on terrorist groups and intensify operations across the region.