Sokoto: Soldiers Rescue 23 Abducted Victims, Arrest Four Lakurawa Suspects

Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have rescued 23 kidnapped civilians and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group during separate operations across Sokoto State. The operations, conducted on Sunday, also foiled attempted attacks in Wurno, Sabon Birni and Isa Local Government Areas. According to the JTF Media Information Officer, Lt-Col. Aliyu Danja, troops responded to an attack on Sabon Gari in Wurno, where residents were forced to flee after terrorists opened fire. The attackers were repelled, while six kidnapped victims were rescued. A civilian who sustained a gunshot injury was also evacuated for medical treatment. In Sabon Birni, troops acting on intelligence about a planned terrorist movement along the Sabon Birni–Takatsaba Road engaged the suspected attackers and forced them to retreat.

In Isa LGA, troops responding to a distress call over terrorist activity along the Isa–Kwanar Isa–Shinkafi Road engaged the attackers and subsequently rescued 17 kidnapped civilians. One of the rescued victims, who had sustained a fracture, was taken to the General Hospital, Isa, for treatment. Meanwhile, in Illela LGA, troops acting on intelligence intercepted four suspected Lakurawa members allegedly moving a herd of rustled cattle from Sarma Village towards Illela. A snap checkpoint was established along the suspected route, resulting in the arrest of the four suspects and recovery of six cows. The suspects and recovered livestock remain in military custody for further investigation, while troops continue efforts to track other fleeing members of the group. Danja said the operations demonstrated the military's intelligence-led approach to disrupting terrorist activities and rescuing civilians, adding that troops would sustain operations to protect communities across their area of responsibility.

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