By ABBAS BAMALLI

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued six kidnapped victims and recovered N800,000 taken from them by terrorists in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The Media Information Officer of the Task Force, Lt.-Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Katsina.

Danja said the troops, operating under Sector 2, carried out the operation on Aug. 22, following a distress call that terrorists had intercepted a vehicle and kidnapped six occupants on Dandume-Sheme Road.

He said the troops swiftly mobilised to the area and engaged the terrorists with superior firepower.

“During the encounter, the terrorists were overwhelmed and forced to abandon their captives and flee into the surrounding bushes,” he said.

Danja said the troops subsequently exploited the area and rescued all six victims unharmed.

He added that the troops also recovered N800,000 earlier taken from the victims by the terrorists.

According to him, the recovered money and vehicle were handed over to the victims in the presence of the Divisional Police Officer in Dandume.

In a separate operation, on Aug. 21, Danja said troops of Sector 2 also encountered terrorists on Maraban Kankara axis in Kankara Local Government Area.

He said the troops swiftly engaged the terrorists, forcing them to flee in disarray into the surrounding bushes.

The media officer said the troops pursued the fleeing terrorists and subsequently recovered one motorcycle during the exploitation of the area.

Danja said the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, remained committed to sustaining aggressive patrols and offensive operations to deny terrorists freedom of action.

He said the operations were also aimed at protecting lives and property across the region.

Danja appreciated members of the public for their continued support to the security forces.

He urged communities to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations against terrorists and other criminal elements.

He assured that the task force would sustain its operations to enhance security and protect communities within its area of responsibility. (NAN)