Troops Foil Mass Abduction Attempt in Zamfara, Rescue Nine Civilians Including Infant

By Tolu Temidire

Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have thwarted an attempted mass abduction by terrorists in Unguwar Rogo village, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, rescuing nine civilians, including an infant.

The operation, according to the military, followed a distress call received after terrorists invaded the community and attacked civilians travelling along a local route.

The incident occurred on Sunday, August 16, 2026, when troops were alerted to the presence of armed terrorists operating around the village.

The Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed the development in a statement.

Danja said preliminary intelligence indicated that the attackers were believed to be operating under the leadership of a suspected terrorist kingpin identified as Mallam Shuaibu.

According to him, the attack may have been carried out as retaliation for the recent arrest of individuals suspected of collaborating with the terrorist network.

He explained that the suspects had earlier been intercepted by troops while allegedly attempting to procure motorcycles and Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, for use in supporting terrorist operations.

The arrests, he said, may have prompted the terrorists to launch the reprisal attack against civilians travelling through the area.

Danja said the terrorists carefully concealed themselves inside a millet farm located along the route before launching an attack on passing vehicles.

He added that the gunmen opened fire on the vehicles in an apparent attempt to force them to stop and create an opportunity to abduct the occupants.

The attack reportedly caused some drivers to lose control of their vehicles and veer off the road as they tried to escape the gunfire.

The situation, however, changed when troops of Sector 2 responded swiftly to the distress call and moved into the area.

The soldiers engaged the terrorists in a decisive confrontation, disrupting their plans and preventing them from carrying out the intended mass abduction.

Confronted by the military's superior response, the terrorists reportedly abandoned their operation and fled into the surrounding forest.

The troops subsequently combed the area and rescued nine civilians who had been caught up in the attack.

Among those rescued was an infant, underscoring the vulnerability of civilians caught along routes targeted by terrorist groups in the region.

Two women sustained gunshot injuries during the attack and were immediately evacuated by the troops for medical attention.

The military said the injured women are currently receiving treatment, while the rescued civilians have been secured.

Operation Fansan Yamma reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining military pressure on terrorist groups and other criminal elements operating across the North-West.

The Joint Task Force also assured residents that troops would continue to take necessary measures to protect lives, disrupt criminal activities and create conditions for lasting peace and security in the region.