Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 31 abductees and neutralized two terrorists, including a suspected kingpin, during separate operations in Katsina and Kebbi states.
The military also arrested two suspected terrorists and recovered ammunition, a motorcycle, camouflage clothing and other items during the operations conducted on September 14 and 15, 2026.
The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North West, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 16. 
According to the statement, troops in Katsina rescued 10 kidnap victims, comprising three males and seven females, after responding to distress reports from Unguwan Daudu and Unguwan Chibauna communities in Funtua Local Government Area.
The troops reportedly launched a hot pursuit of the fleeing terrorists and engaged them in a gun battle, forcing them to abandon the victims.
Among those rescued was an infant.
The victims were subsequently taken into military custody for necessary assistance and further action.
21 Victims Rescued in Kebbi
Also on September 14, troops operating in Kebbi State responded to a distress call following the abduction of civilians from Fafala Village in Kangiwa Local Government Area.
Acting on intelligence, the troops launched a fighting patrol towards Fafala and Dandikwa, where they reportedly engaged the terrorists in a heavy exchange of gunfire.
The terrorists were forced to withdraw from the area, allowing the troops to continue their operation and rescue 21 kidnapped victims.
The rescued civilians were later reunited with their families.
Terrorist Kingpin Killed in Katsina
The following day, September 15, troops in Katsina reportedly foiled an attempted terrorist attack on communities in Matazu and Kankara local government areas.
Acting on intelligence, the troops moved towards a suspected terrorist hideout and engaged the group with superior firepower.
The military said two terrorists were killed during the encounter, including Abbah Alhassan, whom it identified as a known terrorist kingpin.
Other terrorists reportedly escaped into the surrounding bush.
Troops recovered 10 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle, a cutlass, camouflage clothing and suspected Indian hemp from the area.
Two Suspects Arrested
In another operation on September 15, troops arrested two suspected terrorists around the Yantumaki general area of Dan Musa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Preliminary interrogation reportedly indicated that the suspects were associated with a suspected terrorist kingpin identified as Mannori.
The suspects remain in military custody while investigations continue.
The Joint Task Force said the operations demonstrate its continued efforts to rescue kidnapped civilians, disrupt terrorist networks and restrict the movement and operational freedom of armed groups across its area of responsibility.
The task force also commended residents for providing security-related information and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to the nearest security agency.
