Troops of the Joint Task Force (North West) Operation FANSAN YAMMA, in a coordinated offensive with the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, successfully rescued 32 kidnapped victims and neutralized two terrorists.
In a statement by the Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, the operation took place in the early hours of today (Friday, 8 May 2026) targeted a terrorist enclave in Dikawa Village, located within the Matazu Local Government Area.
According Danja this major breakthrough followed the receipt of credible intelligence regarding the location where the criminals were harboring their captives.
“Upon arriving at the scene, the security forces engaged the terrorists in a fierce and well-coordinated firefight. The superior firepower of the troops overwhelmed the criminal elements, forcing them to abandon their victims and flee into the surrounding wilderness in disarray. ” He stated
He noted that, furing the heated encounter, two terrorists were killed, and the troops moved quickly to secure the area and ensure the safety of those held in captivity.
The rescued group consists of nine men, 10 women, and 13 children, all of whom had been held against their will in the remote hideout. Beyond the rescue of the civilians, the military successfully destroyed all identified life-support structures and shelters within the enclave.
This strategic move was intended to deny the terrorists a functional operational base and prevent them from regrouping within the general area in the near future.
A cache of arms and equipment was recovered during the post-battle exploitation of the site. The items seized by the troops included two AK-47 rifles, 15 loaded magazines, a General Purpose Machine Gun butt, a revolver chamber, and a fabricated hand grenade. Additionally, 10 motorcycles used by the terrorists for mobility and 26 rustled livestock were recovered from the camp, further crippling the gang’s logistics and assets.
Following their liberation, the 32 victims were immediately evacuated to a secure facility where they are currently receiving necessary medical attention and psychological care. The military authorities confirmed that the victims would undergo a formal process before being reunited with their families.
Lt Col Danja, the Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force, attributed the success to the professionalism and resilience of the Nigerian Armed Forces. He emphasized that the Theatre Command remains committed to eradicating terrorism in the North West.
The command also expressed its gratitude to the public for providing the timely information that made the operation possible, urging citizens to maintain their support for ongoing security efforts.
