Troops Rescue Women, Children In Zamfara

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY) have rescued nine kidnapped victims, including women and children, from Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The victims were freed during a successful ambush that also saw several terrorists neutralized in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The operation, carried out in the late hours of Sunday, followed credible intelligence that terrorists were moving captives through a known crossing point along the Isa–Shinkafi–Kaura Namoda Road, which links Sokoto and Zamfara States.

According to the media information officer of OPFY Captain David Adewusi, the terrorists attempted to use their hostages as human shields after detecting the troops’ presence.

“The soldiers, however, responded decisively, killing several terrorists while others fled with gunshot wounds”.

He said in a statement that nine kidnapped victims including three women and six children were rescued during the operation. They were identified as residents of Garin Bature village in Sabon Birni LGA, Sokoto, and were immediately taken to the General Hospital, Shinkafi, for medical attention.

According to the statement, Items recovered at the scene included one AK-47 rifle, two magazines with 20 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, a motorcycle, three mobile phones, and a desert camouflage uniform believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.

The rescued victims were later handed over to officials of Shinkafi Local Government Area, who assured that they would be reunited with their families soon.