Troops rescue 23 kidnapped victims in Sokoto operations

Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have rescued 23 kidnapped victims and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa group during separate operations in Sokoto State.

The operation was reported across multiple outlets as taking place on September 20 in parts of Wurno, Sabon Birni and Isa local government areas. The reports said soldiers responded to attacks and ambush attempts, forced fighters to retreat and recovered six cows believed to have been rustled.

The rescue figure was broken down in the reports: six victims were freed after troops responded to an attack on Sabon Gari in Wurno; 14 others, including two women and 12 children, were rescued after troops met an ambush around Danfili in Sabon Birni; and three more victims were freed during a clearance operation along the Isa-Chafe axis.

The reports also said four suspected Lakurawa members were arrested during a fighting patrol at Kwargaba in Wurno. The operation involved troops of Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force North West.

The Sokoto operation follows renewed security pressure in communities affected by banditry and Lakurawa activity in the North West. The military said the latest actions were part of ongoing efforts to disrupt attacks and recover abducted civilians.

Sources: Channels TV, Punch, Daily Post, Daily Trust