Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation FANSAN YAMMA have foiled a kidnapping attempt by suspected terrorists and rescued four abducted persons during a military operation in Surimi, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The operation took place in a community close to the Sokoto State border, an area that has witnessed repeated attacks by armed groups operating across parts of the North-West.
The Nigerian Army announced the successful operation in a statement posted on its official X account, saying the troops acted on credible intelligence about the activities of suspected terrorists involved in kidnapping residents in the area.
According to the statement, the operation was launched after security agencies received reliable information that armed terrorists were operating around Surimi and had kidnapped several people.
The troops, stationed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Unashi, immediately mobilised to the area to prevent the terrorists from escaping with their victims.
On reaching the location, the soldiers reportedly confronted the armed men and engaged them in a gun battle.
The Army said the troops used superior firepower, forcing the terrorists to abandon the kidnapped victims and flee into the surrounding forest.
“Faced with the troops’ overwhelming response, the terrorists abandoned the four kidnapped individuals and fled into the nearby bush,” the statement said.
The military added that the rescued victims were safely recovered during the operation and later reunited with their families.
Officials also confirmed that no soldier was injured or killed during the operation.
The Army described the mission as another successful effort by Operation FANSAN YAMMA to protect lives and property and reduce the activities of criminal groups in the North-West.
Military authorities said the operation demonstrated the readiness of troops to respond quickly to intelligence reports and prevent criminals from carrying out attacks on innocent citizens.
Although the identities of the rescued victims were not disclosed, the Army said they were in good condition after being rescued.
Security sources noted that troops have continued to sustain offensive operations against terrorist groups, kidnappers and armed bandits across several states in the North-West in recent months.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA is one of the major military operations established to tackle insecurity across the North-West, where armed groups have carried out attacks on communities, kidnapped residents and targeted travellers on highways.
The operation covers several states, including Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina, where security forces have intensified ground and air operations against criminal groups.
Kidnapping for ransom has remained one of the biggest security challenges in the region, with many rural communities frequently coming under attack.
Armed groups often raid villages, abduct residents and demand large sums of money before releasing their captives.
The activities of these groups have disrupted farming, trade and other economic activities, forcing many residents to flee their homes.
In response, the Federal Government has continued to deploy more troops, strengthen intelligence gathering and increase military operations aimed at dismantling terrorist and bandit camps.
The Nigerian Army has repeatedly said that cooperation from local communities remains critical to the success of ongoing security operations.
Military authorities have urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information on suspicious movements, stressing that intelligence from members of the public has helped security agencies prevent several attacks and rescue kidnapped victims.
The latest operation in Danko-Wasagu is one of several rescue missions carried out by troops in recent weeks as security forces maintain pressure on armed groups operating in forests and remote communities.
They also note that successful rescue operations boost public confidence in security agencies while denying criminal groups the ransom payments they often seek from victims’ families.
Despite recent successes by the military, attacks by terrorists and armed bandits continue to pose a major security challenge across parts of northern Nigeria.
The Federal Government has repeatedly assured Nigerians that efforts are ongoing to restore peace, secure communities and protect lives and property.
Military commanders have also pledged to sustain offensive operations until criminal groups are dismantled and communities can return to normal life.
The successful rescue of the four kidnapped victims in Surimi is expected to provide some relief to residents of the area, who have lived under the constant threat of attacks by armed groups.
For the Army, the operation represents another step in its campaign against terrorism and kidnapping in the North-West, as troops continue to pursue fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks on communities along the Kebbi-Sokoto axis.