Troops have rescued the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Dr. Aminu Yusuf, his family and 21 other civilians after foiling multiple kidnap attempts by suspected terrorists in Zamfara State.
The successful operations were carried out by troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, during separate responses to distress calls in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area and Barkeji Village on July 28.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North West), Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, said the first operation followed a distress call reporting an attack by suspected terrorists on the Rector’s residence at Tsohon-Tasha Street in Kaura Namoda.
According to Danja, the attackers killed the Rector’s private security guard and injured another resident before attempting to abduct the Rector and members of his family.
“Troops responded promptly to the distress call and engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to flee and abandon their victims. The Rector and his family were rescued unharmed,” Danja said.
He added that troops recorded another success later the same day after receiving a distress call from Tungan Dorawa community in Barkeji Village, where suspected terrorists were attempting to abduct civilians.
Despite difficult terrain that initially slowed their movement, the troops closed in on the fleeing suspects, engaged them and successfully foiled the abduction attempt.
Danja further disclosed that troops simultaneously confronted another group of suspected terrorists in the same community who were attempting to kidnap a prominent businessman, Alhaji Azaria.
“The prompt intervention of the troops forced the terrorists to flee and abandon their mission. Alhaji Azaria, along with 21 other civilians abducted from neighbouring houses, were rescued during the operation,” he stated.
In a related development, Danja said troops arrested a 45-year-old suspected terrorist informant, Falalu Yusuf, who is believed to have collaborated with the attackers.
“The suspect has been handed over to the relevant authorities for investigation and further necessary action,” he added.
The Joint Task Force spokesman commended the vigilance, courage and professionalism of the troops, describing the operations as a demonstration of the military’s resolve to deny terrorists freedom of action across the North-West.
“Operation FANSAN YAMMA commends the vigilance, courage and professionalism of the troops and reassures the public of its unwavering commitment to restoring peace and security in Zamfara State and the wider North-West region,” Danja stated.
He urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to sustain ongoing operations against terrorists and other criminal elements in the region.
