Troops Foil Mass Abduction Attempt in Zamfara, Rescue Nine Civilians

Troops of Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled an attempted mass abduction by terrorists in Unguwar Rogo Village, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The operation, carried out on Sunday, August 16, 2026, also led to the rescue of nine civilians, including an infant.

According to a statement by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, troops received a distress call after terrorists, suspected to be led by a kingpin identified as Mallam Shuaibu, infiltrated the community and attacked civilians travelling along a local route.

Preliminary intelligence suggests the attack may have been carried out in retaliation for the recent arrest of suspected collaborators linked to the terrorist network.

The suspects were reportedly intercepted while attempting to procure motorcycles and Premium Motor Spirit, or PMS, allegedly to support the terrorists’ activities.

The terrorists are said to have concealed themselves in a millet farm along the route before opening fire on passing vehicles, forcing some drivers to lose control and veer off the road.

Troops from Sector 2 swiftly responded to the distress call and engaged the attackers, preventing them from carrying out the planned abduction.

Overwhelmed by the troops’ response, the terrorists abandoned their mission and fled into the surrounding forest.

Nine civilians, including an infant, were subsequently rescued.

Two women who sustained gunshot wounds during the attack were also evacuated and are currently receiving medical treatment.

Operation FANSAN YAMMA says it remains committed to sustaining pressure on terrorist networks and other criminal elements while protecting civilians and restoring lasting peace and security across the North-West.