Soldiers kill eight suspected terrorists and save three kidnap victims in three states

Troops from Operation Fansan Yamma killed eight suspected terrorists and rescued three people who were kidnapped in Katsina, Kaduna, and Zamfara states over the weekend, according to the military.

The operations took place on 24 and 25 October. They also resulted in the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, three locally made guns, three motorcycles, and other items.

The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North-west, Tamuno Sinivie, shared this information in a statement on Monday.

Captain Sinivie said troops acted on a distress call from farmers near Machika Dam in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State. This call came after reports of suspected terrorist activities in the area.

The troops engaged the suspects in a gunfight, killing two of them while others managed to escape, as stated in the report.

During this encounter, a 42-year-old kidnap victim, Suleiman Umar, was rescued. The troops also found an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, and a motorcycle.

In Kaduna State, six suspected terrorists were killed when soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were attacked along Ungwan Iya in Igabi Local Government Area.

The troops were chasing armed men who had attacked Ungwan Mallami village and kidnapped two residents. Captain Sinivie explained that the suspects ambushed the troops during the pursuit, but six of them were killed in the gunfight that followed.

From this encounter, three locally made guns, two motorcycles, cutlasses, and various charms were recovered.

The military did not clarify whether the two residents abducted from Ungwan Mallami were rescued or still in captivity.

In Zamfara State, troops rescued two kidnapped individuals in Bagega, Anka Local Government Area, on Sunday.

The victims, Shehu Chete, 40, and Bugu Bedi, 25, both from Kebbi State, were reportedly left behind by their captors when soldiers approached during a surveillance operation.

They were taken to Bagega Clinic for medical care before being moved to a military base.

Captain Sinivie stated that troops are continuing to patrol the affected areas to track down fleeing suspects and stop further attacks.

The military's account of these events and the reported casualty figures could not be independently verified.