By Sandra Kenneth
Military troops operating under Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 48 kidnapped victims following a gun battle with terrorists in Magami village, located within the Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The operation was confirmed in an official statement issued on Sunday by the Media Information Officer for Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja.
According to the military authority, the intervention was triggered in the early hours of Saturday after Sector 2 troops received an urgent distress call reporting that heavily armed terrorists—riding on approximately 40 motorcycles—had invaded the community.
The assailants had reportedly rounded up dozens of villagers with plans to march them into the surrounding forest, while a contingent of the armed group stood guard on the village outskirts.
“On arrival at the scene, the troops immediately engaged the terrorists in a fierce firefight, forcing them to abandon the kidnapped victims and flee into the surrounding bush,” Lt. Col. Danja stated. “The prompt intervention led to the successful rescue of all 48 abducted civilians.”
Regrettably, military officials confirmed that one resident was killed by the attackers prior to the troops’ arrival, while two others suffered gunshot wounds. The injured victims were immediately evacuated to the General Hospital in Kaura Namoda, where they are currently receiving medical attention.
Following the rescue, military units initiated aggressive patrols throughout the surrounding terrain to clear remaining hostile elements and prevent subsequent attacks.
Commending the soldiers for their gallantry and swift response, the Theatre Command reiterated its resolve to restore lasting peace across the North-West region, while urging members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely, credible intelligence to security forces.
