Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 31 kidnapped victims and neutralised two terrorists, including a suspected kingpin, during separate operations in Katsina and Kebbi states.

The Media Information Officer of the task force, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying the operations were conducted on September 14 and 15.

Danja said troops of Sector 2 were deployed to Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State on September 14 after receiving reports that terrorists had abducted civilians from Unguwan Daudu and Unguwan Chibauna communities.

He said the troops launched a pursuit and engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat and enabling the rescue of 10 victims comprising three males and seven females, including an infant.

On the same day, troops operating in Kebbi State responded to reports of an abduction in Fafala Village, Kangiwa Local Government Area.

Acting on intelligence, the troops conducted a fighting patrol towards Fafala and Dandikwa, where they encountered the terrorists and engaged them in a heavy exchange of fire.

Danja said the terrorists withdrew in disarray, after which troops searched the area and rescued 21 kidnapped victims, who were subsequently reunited with their families.

He added that troops recorded another success in Katsina on September 15 after receiving intelligence about plans by terrorists to attack communities in Matazu and Kankara local government areas.

The troops moved to the suspected hideout and engaged the terrorists, killing two of them. One of those killed was identified as Abbah Alhassan, described by the military as a known terrorist kingpin.

Items recovered from the hideout included 10 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle, a cutlass, camouflage clothing and Indian hemp.

The task force also arrested two suspected terrorists in the Yantumaki area of Dan Musa Local Government Area. Preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects were allegedly associated with another terrorist kingpin known as Mannori.

The suspects remain in military custody for further investigation.

The JTF said the operations formed part of efforts to rescue kidnapped victims, disrupt terrorist networks and restrict the activities of armed groups across the North-West.

It urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.