Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West Operation Fansan Yamma, have neutralised several terrorists, foiled attacks and kidnapping attempts, and recovered arms and rustled livestock in coordinated operations across Sokoto and Katsina States.
In a statement signed by Media Information Officer Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja and issued on 22 June 2026, the JTF said the operations were part of sustained efforts to rid the North West region of terrorism and banditry.
The first encounter occurred on 21 June 2026 when armed terrorists attempted to infiltrate Tureta town in Sokoto State. Acting on actionable intelligence, troops engaged the criminals and forced them to retreat.
Aerial surveillance later tracked the fleeing terrorists to Sulubawa Gidan Kare village, where they were moving with abducted civilians and rustled livestock. Troops launched a hot pursuit and, despite a hastily mounted ambush by the retreating terrorists, fought through with superior firepower.
“The valiant effort led to the successful rescue of the abductees, the recovery of the rustled cattle and the seizure of 2 motorcycles used by the terrorists,” the statement said.
In a related operation in the early hours of 22 June 2026, troops carried out an intelligence-driven dawn raid on a known terrorist enclave in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State. During the firefight, 2 terrorists were neutralised while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.
A search of the hideout yielded significant recoveries: one PKT assault rifle, one AK-47 rifle with ammunition, 3 motorcycles, mobile communication devices, rustled livestock, and other logistics items used to facilitate criminal activities.
Lt. Col. Danja said the victories “underscore the unwavering determination, professionalism, and resilience of the troops of JTF NW Operation Fansan Yamma in taking the fight directly to the enclaves of terrorist and criminal elements.”
He assured the public that aggressive operations would be sustained to dismantle terrorist networks, deny them freedom of action, and restore lasting peace and security across the North West region.
Operation Fansan Yamma is the military’s ongoing campaign against banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism in North Western Nigeria, involving ground troops and air surveillance.
