Troops of the Joint Task Force North West have foiled a terrorist attack in Sokoto State, rescued two kidnapped victims and arrested a suspected illicit drug peddler in separate operations in Sokoto and Kaduna states.
The operations, conducted under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, took place on September 12 and 13, 2026, as troops sustained efforts to disrupt terrorist and criminal activities across the North-West.
According to the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force North West, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, on September 12, troops of Sector 1, while conducting a stop-and-search operation along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road, intercepted a suspected illicit drug peddler identified as Yohana Musa.
Musa was reportedly found in possession of a large quantity of illicit drugs and other substances while travelling to Birnin Gwari.
The suspect and the recovered items have been taken into custody for further investigation.
In a separate operation on September 13, troops of Sector 2 responded to a distress call following a terrorist attack at Unguwan Lalle in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Danja said the troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them with firepower, forcing the attackers to withdraw in disarray.
“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 said.
He said the troops subsequently received information indicating an attempt by the terrorists to regroup and swiftly mobilised to the location.
Danja said the troops re-established contact with the terrorists and engaged them in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to withdraw from the area.
“During exploitation, troops recovered 157 rounds of PKT ammunition and phone batteries, among other items,” he said.
The Media Information Officer said the successful operations demonstrated the troops’ commitment to denying terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area.
Danja said the Theatre Commander commended the troops for their gallantry and professionalism in sustaining the recent operational successes.
“The Theatre Commander commends the gallantry and professionalism of troops in sustaining these successes and remains resolute in denying terrorists and criminal elements freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area,” he said.
He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security forces in support of ongoing operations.
The Joint Task Force also reiterated its commitment to sustaining operations aimed at protecting communities and disrupting the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements across the North-West.
