Army says one terrorist killed and six kidnap victims rescued in North-West operations

Troops of Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, killed a suspected terrorist and rescued six kidnap victims in separate operations in Sokoto and Zamfara states, the military said. The operations took place on Saturday, September 26, 2026, according to a statement signed by the task force’s Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja. In Sokoto State, troops from Sector 2 acted on intelligence about a suspected terrorist camp in Gudu Local Government Area.

The statement said soldiers assaulted the location and encountered an isolated suspected terrorist, who was neutralised. The military said troops recovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, a foreign military uniform and various tools and items of clothing during the operation. In Zamfara State, troops responded to information about an attempted abduction involving members of the Sarkin Samari’s family in Tsafe Local Government Area.

The task force said soldiers engaged the attackers when they arrived, forcing them to withdraw into nearby bushes. Six kidnap victims were rescued during that operation, the statement said. They were taken to a safe location while arrangements were made for their reunification with their families.

Operation FANSAN YAMMA said the operations reflected its continuing effort to protect lives and property in the North-West. It urged residents to provide credible and timely information about terrorist and criminal activity in their communities. The supplied material did not include independent confirmation of the military’s account.