Nigerian Army Rescues Nine Kidnapped Victims, Arrests Suspected Terrorist In Katsina

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have rescued nine kidnapped victims, recovered 56 rustled livestock, and arrested a suspected terrorist during separate intelligence-driven operations conducted across Katsina State.

The military disclosed the development in a statement issued on Friday by the Media Information Officer of Joint Task Force (North West) Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt Colonel Aliyu Danja. 

The statement said troops of Sector 2, while on a fighting patrol in Faskari Local Government Area, rescued nine kidnapped victims comprising three women, four men and two children.

According to the military, the victims narrated that they escaped from the terrorists' enclave after their captors fell asleep before they were intercepted and rescued by troops.

In a separate operation in Bakori Local Government Area, troops acting on credible intelligence responded to an attempt by suspected terrorists to rustle livestock.

According to the statement, the suspects opened fire after sighting the advancing troops but were overpowered by the soldiers' superior firepower and fled into the surrounding bush.

"On sighting the troops, the terrorists opened fire but were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the gallant troops and fled into the surrounding bush, abandoning 56 rustled livestock, comprising four cattle and fifty-two sheep," the statement read.

The military said the recovered livestock remain in the custody of the troops pending their handover to the appropriate local authorities.

The statement also disclosed that troops arrested a suspected terrorist during routine operational activities in Danmusa Local Government Area.

It said preliminary exploitation of items recovered from the suspect revealed materials believed to have links with terrorist activities.

"The suspect is currently in military custody and undergoing further investigation," the statement added.