Troops Foil Terrorists’ Ambush in Kebbi, Rescue 11 Kidnap Victims
By Brown Chimezie
Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), have rescued 11 kidnapped victims during separate operations in Ribah town and the Wasagu-Falfala general area of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
On October 30, 2026, troops of Sector 2 responded to a distress call about suspected terrorists who had blocked the Ribah-Dirindaji road while attempting to invade Ribah town.
On arriving at the scene, the troops discovered that the terrorists had fled with seven persons. The soldiers subsequently launched an aggressive pursuit of the fleeing assailants towards Rambo village, forcing them to release the victims under sustained pressure.
In a statement, the Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Captain Tamuno Sinivie, identified the rescued victims as Sa’adu Bala, 53; Nura Musa, 25; Dantami Yahyi, 57; Nasiru Muhammad, 21; Abdulakeem Abubakar, 23; Abdulahi Maikudi, 32; and Zaki Gambo, 56.
The victims, all indigenes of Ribah town, have since been reunited with their families.
Similarly, on October 31, 2026, troops of Sector 2, while conducting a routine patrol in the Wasagu-Falfala general area to safeguard residents and deny terrorists freedom of action, came under fire from terrorists who had laid an ambush along their route.
The troops responded swiftly and fought through the ambush with superior firepower, forcing the attackers to flee in disarray.
During a subsequent search of the area, the troops discovered four kidnapped victims who had been abandoned by the terrorists amid the exchange of fire.
The rescued persons were identified as Lawali Ali, 20; Samaila Shaibu, 14; Kasimu Shaibu, 20; and Aliyu Bala, 18. They are residents of Wasagu village and have since been handed over to the village head.
The statement added that troops continued to dominate the general area and sustain confidence-building measures to deter further attacks and protect residents as they went about their legitimate activities.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens and critical infrastructure within its area of responsibility.
The general public was urged to continue supporting the troops by providing timely and credible information to assist ongoing security operations.
