By Sandra Kenneth
Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have thwarted a terrorist attack in Sokoto State, rescued two kidnapped victims, and arrested an alleged illicit drug dealer in Kaduna State during coordinated operations over the weekend.
The achievements were disclosed in an official statement issued on Monday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja.
According to Danja, troops of Sector 1 conducting a stop-and-search operation along the Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road intercepted a suspect identified as Yohana Musa while he was en route to Birnin Gwari. A large quantity of illicit drugs and other controlled substances was recovered from him. Musa and the seized exhibits remain in military custody pending further investigation.
In a separate operation in Sokoto State, troops of Sector 2 responded swiftly to a distress call regarding a terrorist assault on the Unguwan Lalle community in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area.
The troops confronted the attackers, engaging them in a heavy gun battle that forced the terrorists to retreat in disarray and allowed soldiers to rescue two abducted civilians.
“Troops made contact with the terrorists, engaging them with firepower and forcing them to withdraw in disarray, rescuing two kidnapped victims in the process,” Danja stated.
Following intelligence reports that the fleeing terrorists were attempting to regroup nearby, military forces remobilized to the area and re-engaged the armed elements in a second gunfight, driving them out of the location.
A subsequent search of the site yielded 157 rounds of PKT ammunition, mobile phone batteries, and other tactical items left behind by the criminals.
Commending the soldiers for their gallantry and professionalism, the Theatre Commander reaffirmed the military’s determination to deny criminal elements freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area. The task force also renewed its appeal to members of the public to assist security forces by providing timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing anti-terror operations.
