4 Lakurawa suspects nabbed in Sokoto, 23 victims rescued

Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), have rescued 23 kidnapped civilians and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group in separate operations across Sokoto state.

The troops also foiled attempts by terrorists to attack communities and recovered six cows suspected to have been rustled, a statement issued on Monday by the Media Information Officer of the JTF North West, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja has said.

Danja said the troops responded to a terrorist attack on Sabon Gari in Wurno Local Government Area on September 20, after the assailants invaded the community and opened fire, forcing residents to flee.

He said the troops engaged the terrorists and forced them to withdraw from the area, while six kidnapped victims were rescued during the operation.

According to him, a civilian who sustained a gunshot wound during the attack was evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.

The same day, the troops responded to intelligence that terrorists were attempting to cross the Sabon Birni-Takatsaba Road around Chabe Biyu in Sabon Birni local government area.

Danja said the troops mobilised and laid an ambush along the terrorists’ suspected axis of advance before engaging them with firepower.

He said the terrorists fled in disarray, while the troops continued to dominate the area to deny them freedom of action.

Also, troops the same day, responded to a distress call over terrorist activities along the Isa-Kwanar Isa-Shinkafi road in Isa local government area.

The troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them, forcing them to withdraw, after which the area was searched and 17 kidnapped civilians were rescued.

“One of the rescued victims, who sustained a fracture, was immediately evacuated to the General Hospital, Isa, for medical attention,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, troops acting on intelligence arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group in Illela local government area.

Danja said the suspects were allegedly moving a herd of rustled cattle from Sarma village towards Illela when troops established a snap checkpoint along their suspected route.

“Four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group were arrested and six cows recovered,” he said.

He added that the suspects and recovered livestock were in military custody for further investigation, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the group.

The JTF spokesman said the latest operations demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-driven and proactive operations by Sector 2 troops in disrupting terrorist activities and rescuing kidnapped civilians.

He added that the troops remained committed to sustaining pressure on terrorist elements and protecting communities across their area of responsibility.