Zamfara: Troops Rescue 7 Victims, Foil Abduction Attempts, Neutralise IED

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled separate terrorist abduction attempts, rescued civilians and neutralised an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by terrorists in Zamfara State.

The military operation, which took place on Monday, August 17, 2026, was carried out in different locations across Bukkuyum and Tsafe Local Government Areas of the state.

In Bukkuyum LGA, troops of Sector 2 responded to an abduction incident along the Gurusu–Anka Road and pursued the terrorists.

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The military said the troops’ intervention forced the terrorists to abandon their captives and flee from the area.

Seven victims, comprising four women and three children, were subsequently rescued unharmed.

In a separate operation in Tsafe LGA, troops responded to information about terrorists allegedly attempting to abduct motorists around Magazu Village.

According to the military, the troops engaged the terrorists, forcing them to abandon their victims and escape into nearby bushes.

Some of the rescued victims reportedly sustained gunshot wounds during the attack and were immediately evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.

Earlier on Monday, troops of Sector 2 also responded to the discovery of a terrorist-planted IED along the Gurusu–Gwashi Road in Bukkuyum LGA.

The area was immediately secured while an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was deployed to deal with the device.

The military said the EOD team successfully neutralised the IED, preventing possible casualties among troops and civilians using the road.

The latest operations were described by the Theatre Command as further evidence of the vigilance and responsiveness of Operation FANSAN YAMMA troops in protecting civilians and securing communities and major roads in the North-West.

The command said troops would continue to maintain pressure on terrorist elements across the Joint Operations Area and deny them the freedom to threaten innocent citizens.

The military also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information about suspicious activities to security forces.