Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have rescued 23 kidnapped civilians during separate operations across Sokoto State.
The operations also led to the arrest of four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group and the recovery of six cattle allegedly rustled by terrorists. The military said the operations were conducted on Sunday, September 20, 2026, as part of efforts to disrupt terrorist activities in the state.
The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday. He said the troops also foiled attempted terrorist attacks in Wurno, Sabon Birni and Isa Local Government Areas.
The latest operation comes amid continuing security challenges involving kidnapping and terrorist activities across parts of Nigeria. In another recent security development, the .
Troops rescue six victims in Wurno
According to Danja, troops of Sector 2 responded to an attack on Sabon Gari in Wurno Local Government Area after terrorists reportedly invaded the community.
The attackers allegedly opened sporadic fire, forcing residents to flee their homes. Troops moved in and engaged the attackers, eventually forcing them to withdraw from the area.
Six kidnapped victims were rescued during the operation. The military spokesman also disclosed that a civilian sustained a gunshot injury during the attack and was evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
The operation prevented the attackers from maintaining their hold on the community. It also allowed troops to secure the area and begin efforts aimed at restoring normal activities.
Security agencies have continued to conduct operations against kidnapping networks and armed groups in different parts of the country. Earlier, the as part of efforts to tackle criminal activities.
Terrorists forced to flee in Sabon Birni
Danja said troops also acted on intelligence concerning the movement of terrorists along the Sabon Birni–Takatsaba Road in Sabon Birni Local Government Area.
The intelligence indicated that the terrorists were attempting to move through the Chabe Biyu axis. Troops consequently established an ambush along the suspected route of advance.
The soldiers engaged the terrorists after sighting them. According to the military, the attackers were forced to flee the area in disarray.
Troops subsequently maintained a strong presence in the general area. The military said the move was intended to prevent the terrorists from regrouping or gaining freedom of movement.
The operation highlights the role of intelligence gathering in ongoing counter-terrorism efforts. By responding to information about suspected movements, troops were able to intercept the attackers before they could complete their reported movement.
Concerns over security have also emerged in other parts of the country following incidents involving armed groups and criminal networks. The has also drawn attention to wider security and law-enforcement concerns in the country.
17 kidnapped civilians rescued in Isa
Another major breakthrough was recorded in Isa Local Government Area, where troops rescued 17 kidnapped civilians.
Danja said troops received a distress call concerning terrorist activities along the Isa–Kwanar Isa–Shinkafi Road. The soldiers moved to the area and made contact with the terrorists.
The troops engaged the attackers and forced them to withdraw. They subsequently searched the surrounding area, leading to the rescue of 17 kidnapped civilians.
One of the rescued victims had sustained a fracture during the incident. The victim was immediately evacuated to the General Hospital in Isa for medical treatment.
The rescue brings the total number of kidnapped victims freed during the reported operations to 23. The military did not disclose the identities of the rescued civilians or provide details about how long they had been held.
Kidnapping remains a major security concern in several parts of Nigeria, with security agencies frequently responding to distress calls involving abducted civilians. In a separate case, the highlighted the continued legal proceedings involving suspects accused of terrorism-related activities.
Four suspected Lakurawa members arrested
In a separate operation in Illela Local Government Area, troops arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group.
Danja said the arrests followed intelligence concerning the movement of suspected Lakurawa members. The suspects were allegedly driving a herd of rustled cattle from Sarma Village towards Illela.
Troops established a snap checkpoint along the suspected route. The operation resulted in the arrest of the four suspects and the recovery of six cows.
The suspects have been taken into military custody for further investigation. The recovered livestock are also being held by the authorities as the investigation continues.
The military spokesman said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the group who fled the area. He did not provide the identities of those arrested or disclose further details about the allegations against them.
The use of the term “suspected” is important because the four men remain under investigation. Their arrest does not by itself establish criminal responsibility, and any further action will depend on the outcome of the investigation and applicable legal processes.
Military sustains operations across Sokoto
The latest operations involved different locations across Sokoto State and focused on disrupting terrorist movements, responding to attacks and rescuing civilians.
In Wurno, troops responded to an active attack and rescued six victims. In Sabon Birni, they intercepted suspected terrorist movement, while in Isa, troops responded to a distress call and rescued 17 kidnapped civilians.
The operation in Illela also resulted in the arrest of four suspected Lakurawa members and the recovery of six cattle allegedly rustled by terrorists.
The military said the developments demonstrate the importance of intelligence-driven operations in tackling terrorism and kidnapping. Danja added that troops would continue to sustain pressure on terrorist elements operating within their area of responsibility.
The security situation in Nigeria has also involved several operations against suspected criminal groups and terrorist networks. In another recent development, authorities reported that , showing how security investigations can also involve cross-border cooperation.
Security agencies continue crackdown on criminal networks
The Sokoto operations form part of wider security efforts across Nigeria. Military and police formations have continued to respond to reports of kidnapping, terrorism, armed attacks and other criminal activities.
In one recent case, the involved a separate investigation following the interception of a tanker carrying suspected illicit drugs. Such cases demonstrate the range of criminal activities being investigated by Nigerian security agencies.
The authorities have also continued to investigate incidents involving suspected terrorist organisations. The arrest of the four alleged Lakurawa members in Sokoto is expected to provide investigators with an opportunity to establish their identities, movements and possible links to other suspects.
Meanwhile, troops remain deployed across affected communities as security agencies work to prevent further attacks. The military said its personnel would continue operations designed to protect civilians and deny terrorist groups freedom of movement.
What the Sokoto operation means for rescued victims
For the 23 rescued civilians, the immediate priority is expected to be medical attention, debriefing and eventual reunification with their families, depending on individual circumstances.
Two of the victims were specifically reported to have suffered injuries. One civilian injured during the Wurno attack sustained a gunshot wound, while one of the 17 civilians rescued in Isa suffered a fracture.
The military said both injured individuals were evacuated for medical treatment. No further information was provided about their conditions.
The rescue also comes at a time when families affected by insecurity continue to demand stronger action from security agencies. In Anambra, for example, a family recently .
Security operations can therefore have consequences beyond the immediate rescue or arrest. Authorities must also identify victims, provide appropriate support and ensure that suspects are properly investigated under the law.
Troops vow to maintain pressure on terrorists
Lieutenant Colonel Danja said the latest operations showed the effectiveness of proactive and intelligence-led military action.
He said troops would continue to sustain pressure on terrorist elements and protect communities within the Joint Task Force’s area of responsibility.
The arrest of the four suspected Lakurawa members, however, provides investigators with additional suspects for questioning. Authorities are expected to continue efforts to track other members of the group who reportedly escaped during the operation.
The recovery of six cattle may also assist investigators as they examine the alleged movement of the suspects and the origin of the livestock.
Other recent reports have also focused on security-related incidents across Nigeria, including the and calls for investigations into alleged security failures.
The government and security agencies continue to face pressure to protect communities and respond quickly to threats. For residents of affected areas, the effectiveness of such operations will ultimately depend on sustained security presence, timely intelligence and measures that prevent armed groups from returning to vulnerable communities.
In Sokoto, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma said their operations would continue as they work to disrupt terrorist activities, rescue kidnapped civilians and apprehend fleeing suspects.
The military also said it would maintain pressure on terrorist elements across its operational area while continuing efforts to protect communities from further attacks.
