Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma operating in the North-West have rescued 13 kidnap victims and foiled a terrorist attack in the Anka and Kaura Namoda Local Government Areas of Zamfara State.

In a statement on Wednesday, the operation’s spokesman, Aliyu Danja, said the rescue followed intelligence-led operations in the affected areas.

He stated that in the first operation, troops of Sector 2 in Bagega responded swiftly to credible intelligence about armed terrorists riding motorcycles towards Tungan Kudaduku in the Anka Local Government Area of the state.

“Guided by real-time surveillance, the troops pursued and engaged the terrorists with overwhelming firepower, forcing them to abandon their mission and flee,” Mr Danja said. 

He added that a follow-up search of the area led to the discovery of a makeshift terrorist camp, where five victims were rescued unharmed.

Mr Danja said that in a separate operation at Ungwan Rogo in the Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, troops acted on credible intelligence about terrorist activities in the area.

“On contact, they engaged the terrorists in a fierce firefight, forcing them to retreat in disarray and abandon their captives,” he said. 

According to him, eight victims were rescued, and two vehicles recovered.

He added that rescued victims had been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further care and support.