By Stella Odueme
Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued a kidnapped victim, recovered 18 rustled cattle and arrested four suspected drug peddlers in separate operations in Kebbi State.
The operations, conducted on October 18, 2026, involved troops of Sector 2 working alongside local vigilantes and personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
In a statement issued on Monday, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said the troops rescued a 40-year-old resident, Suleiman Maiyaki Ikara, during an operation in Rambo Village, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area.
Danja said the troops responded to a distress call reporting the invasion of the community by suspected terrorists who intended to kidnap residents and rustle cattle.
According to him, the troops swiftly mobilised to the village, engaged the attackers in a firefight and successfully rescued the victim, while recovering 18 rustled cattle.
He said the rescued victim and recovered livestock were subsequently handed over to the District Head of Rambo Village for further action.
In a separate operation, troops of Sector 2, in collaboration with NDLEA personnel, raided suspected drug trafficking locations in Dakin Kowa, Karaye and Gubba communities in Maiyama Local Government Area.
The operation led to the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of substances suspected to be illicit drugs.
Danja said the suspects and recovered substances had been handed over to the NDLEA Command in Maiyama for further investigation and necessary action.
He reaffirmed the task force's commitment to sustaining offensive operations against terrorists and other criminal elements across its joint operations area.
The military also appreciated the continued support and cooperation of local communities, urging residents to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to strengthen ongoing security operations.