Soldiers Rescue 23 Kidnapped Victims, Arrest Four Suspected Lakurawa Members in Sokoto

Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 23 kidnapped civilians and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group in separate operations across Sokoto State.

The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday.

According to Danja, troops of Sector 2 responded to an attack on Sabon Gari in Wurno Local Government Area, where terrorists invaded the community and opened fire, forcing residents to flee.

The troops engaged the attackers and forced them to withdraw, rescuing six kidnapped victims during the operation. A civilian who sustained a gunshot wound was also evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.

The military said the operations were part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist networks and restore security in communities.

In another operation along the Sabon Birni–Takatsaba Road in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, troops acted on intelligence indicating that terrorists were attempting to cross the Chabe Biyu axis.

The soldiers established an ambush along the suspected route and engaged the attackers after sighting them, forcing the terrorists to flee.

Similarly, troops responded to a distress call concerning terrorist activities along the Isa–Kwanar Isa–Shinkafi Road in Isa Local Government Area.

The troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them, forcing them to withdraw. A subsequent search of the area led to the rescue of 17 kidnapped civilians.

One of the rescued victims, who sustained a fracture, was evacuated to the General Hospital, Isa, for medical attention.

Meanwhile, in Illela Local Government Area, troops conducting an intelligence-driven operation intercepted four suspected Lakurawa members allegedly moving a herd of rustled cattle from Sarma Village towards Illela.

The soldiers established a snap checkpoint along the suspected route, leading to the arrest of the four suspects and recovery of six cows.

The military said the suspects and recovered livestock remain in custody as investigations continue, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the group.

The development also underscores military operations against criminal and terrorist groups operating across Sokoto State.

Danja said the operations demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-driven and proactive military operations in disrupting terrorist activities, rescuing kidnapped civilians and protecting communities across the Joint Operations Area.

He added that troops would continue to sustain pressure on terrorist elements.