By Chuks Oyema
Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled multiple kidnap attempts in Zamfara State, rescuing the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Dr. Aminu Yusuf, his family, and 22 other victims during separate operations.
The coordinated operations, carried out on July 28, also led to the arrest of a suspected terrorist informant believed to have aided the criminal elements operating in the area.
The Media Information Officer of Joint Task Force (North West) Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed the development in a statement on Tuesday, saying the troops responded swiftly to distress calls and successfully thwarted the terrorists’ plans.
According to Danja, the first incident occurred in the early hours of July 28 when terrorists stormed the residence of the Rector at Tsohon-Tasha Street in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area. The attackers reportedly killed the Rector’s private security guard and injured another resident before attempting to abduct Dr. Yusuf and members of his family.
He said troops promptly mobilised to the scene, engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, and forced them to flee, abandoning the Rector and his family, who were rescued unharmed.
In another operation on the same day, troops on night patrol responded to a distress call from Tungan Dorawa community in Barkeji Village, where terrorists were attempting to abduct residents.
Although difficult terrain initially slowed the troops’ movement, Danja said they pursued the fleeing terrorists, engaged them, and successfully foiled the kidnap attempt.
The military spokesman added that troops simultaneously confronted another group of terrorists in the same community who were trying to kidnap a prominent businessman, Alhaji Azaria.
The intervention forced the terrorists to abandon their mission and flee, leading to the rescue of Alhaji Azaria and 21 other civilians who had been abducted from neighbouring houses.
Danja further disclosed that troops arrested a 45-year-old suspected terrorist informant, Falalu Yusuf, who is believed to have collaborated with the attackers.
He said the suspect has been handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigation and necessary action.
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against terrorist groups and restoring lasting peace and security across Zamfara State and the wider North-West region, while commending the vigilance, courage and professionalism displayed by the troops during the operations.
