Troops foil terrorists’ ambush, rescue 11 kidnap victims in Kebbi

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), have rescued 11 kidnapped victims during separate operations in Ribah town and the Wasagu-Falfala general area of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

Captain Tamuno Sinivie, Acting Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, disclosed this in a statement issued on November 1, 2026. 

According to the statement, the first rescue operation was conducted on October 30, 2026, when troops of Sector 2 responded to a distress call over suspected terrorists who had blocked the Ribah-Dirindaji road while attempting to invade Ribah town.

The troops arrived at the scene and discovered that the attackers had fled with seven persons.

The troops subsequently launched an aggressive pursuit of the fleeing terrorists towards Rambo village, forcing the assailants to abandon the victims under sustained pressure.

The rescued victims were identified as Sa’adu Bala, 53; Nura Musa, 25; Dantami Yahyi, 57; Nasiru Muhammad, 21; Abdulakeem Abubakar, 23; Abdulahi Maikudi, 32; and Zaki Gambo, 56.

All seven victims are indigenes of Ribah town and have since been reunited with their families.

In a separate operation on October 31, troops of Sector 2 reportedly came under attack while conducting a routine patrol in the Wasagu-Falfala general area to protect residents and deny terrorists freedom of action.

The troops responded swiftly and engaged the attackers with superior firepower, forcing them to flee in disarray.

During exploitation of the area, the troops discovered four kidnapped victims who had been abandoned by the terrorists amid the exchange of fire.

The rescued victims were identified as Lawali Ali, 20; Samaila Shaibu, 14; Kasimu Shaibu, 20; and Aliyu Bala, 18.

The four victims, who are residents of Wasagu village, were subsequently handed over to the village head.

The task force said troops continued to dominate the general area and sustain confidence-building measures to deter further attacks and protect residents going about their legitimate activities.

The operation urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing security operations, reaffirming its commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens and critical infrastructure within its area of responsibility.