Soldiers under Operation Fansan Yamma killed five militants and rescued 31 kidnapped civilians during coordinated sweeps across Zamfara and Katsina States, the military said on Wednesday.
The operations, which spanned multiple locations, also destroyed terrorist camps and recovered weapons, motorcycles and ammunition. Sector 2 of the operation conducted the raids using both air support and ground troops to target militant hideouts across the two states.
In Zamfara's Anka Local Government Area, troops freed 31 abducted victims along the Bagega-Kawaye axis after an air strike followed by a ground assault on camps west of Bagega Forest. The captives, who had spent several weeks with their abductors, came from Maga, Gummi, Zuru, Wasugu, Bukuyyum and Anka Local Government Areas in Zamfara and Sokoto States. The military said the freed people received medical care and would be reunited with families.
Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the acting deputy director of army public relations for 8 Division Nigerian Army/Sector 2, confirmed the rescues in a statement. He said the operation demonstrated the military's push to dismantle terrorist networks across the region.
Further south in Zamfara, troops engaged militants near Maradun and Gidan Dan Jaja, killing two terrorists. The soldiers destroyed camps and seized several locally made rifles and four motorcycles. In a separate encounter in Katsina's Matazu Local Government Area, troops intercepted militants on Ruwan Godiya and Sayaya Road who were preparing an attack. Three militants died in the firefight.
One of the killed fighters was identified as a foot soldier of Muhammad Fulani, a major terrorist leader. Rifles and motorcycles were taken during both Katsina operations. Osoba said Operation Fansan Yamma would maintain pressure on militants. "Operation Fansan Yamma remains resolute in its commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens across the North West region," the statement said.
The military has not announced when the next operations will take place, but the soldier said the campaign would continue across the North-West.
