Troops neutralise 23 terrorists, rescue 26 victims in Katsina

Troops of the Nigerian Army operating under the ”Operation Fasan Yamma” have neutralised 23 terrorists and rescued 26 kidnapped victims in Katsina State.

A credible source at Army Headquarters told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the successes were recorded in fierce encounter on Saturday.

The source said troops made contact with terrorists at Pauwa village in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State and, with support from the air and artillery components, killed about 23 terrorists.

The source added that troops rescued 23 kidnapped victims made up of 12 women and 11 children. Motorcycles, spare parts, lubricants, farm machinery and foodstuff recovered from the terrorists were destroyed.

In the North East, he said that four family members of ISWAP/JAS terrorists – two adult females and two children – surrendered to troops of 192 Battalion in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno.

The source also said that troops apprehended a suspected terrorist logistics supplier in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno with a mobile phone, wristwatch and ₦55,000 in his possession.

According to him, five other suspects linked to theft and drug peddling were apprehended during a raid at Muva village in Adamawa.

“In a separate operation, troops of Forward Operating Base Malumfashi in Katsina rescued three kidnapped victims at Shaiskawa village, Matazu Local Government Area, after engaging the terrorists in a firefight.

“Elsewhere, under Operation MESA, three suspected criminals notorious for phone snatching around Dei-Dei, Dakwa and Zuba in the Federal Capital Territory were arrested with four mobile phones and a smartwatch,” he said.

The source further revealed that troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN mediated in a farmer-herder clash in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau to avert escalation.

He said the army would sustain pressure on terrorists and criminals until peace is restored, while urging the public to continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies.

The operation ‘fasan yamma”, which literally means “Salvage the West”, is a major joint Nigerian military operation launched to combat banditry and terrorism in the country’s Northwest region, including states like Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi, Kaduna, and Niger.

It was established by the Defence Headquarters in late 2024 by collapsing previous operations, such as Operation ‘Hadarin Daji” and Whirl Punch in  a single theatre to improve coordination and effectiveness in fighting organised criminal networks.