Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 1 Brigade, operating under Operation Fansan Yamma, have rescued 16 kidnapped victims and thwarted several terrorist operations in Zamfara State.
The military said the operations took place across Shinkafi, Kauran Namoda and Tsafe Local Government Areas on Friday, 28 August.
In one of the encounters, troops intercepted a convoy of 14 terrorists travelling on seven motorcycles around Kwanar Jolof in Shinkafi Local Government Area.
According to military sources, the troops had taken up an ambush position after the terrorists were detected through CCTV surveillance.
However, the operation was compromised after suspected informants alerted the terrorists, forcing them to retreat towards the riverline.
The troops opened fire on the fleeing terrorists and maintained control of the area until normal traffic resumed.
Military sources said troops recovered a motorcycle, an RPG bomb without a fuse, a sleeping mat and a blanket from the scene.
Earlier, at about 03:55 local time, troops responded to a distress call from Shiyan Abiyola Street in Kauran Namoda.
The troops, led by the Acting Commander of 1 Brigade, Colonel Joseph Umaru, reportedly moved swiftly to the area.
The military said Covert Team 2 successfully prevented an attack and rescued four residents who had been abducted.
Twelve passengers rescued in Tsafe
In another operation, troops of Combat Team 7 Headquarters in Tsafe responded to an emergency around Kwanoni Village at about 14:05.
The soldiers engaged the terrorists with superior firepower after they intercepted passengers travelling in a Sharon vehicle and a J5 pickup truck.
The military said the troops successfully rescued all 12 passengers seized from the vehicles.
The latest operations highlight the military’s continued efforts to disrupt terrorist activities, rescue abducted civilians and restore security along vulnerable routes in Zamfara State.
