Troops capture alleged Lakurawa terrorists in Sokoto, free 23 hostages

Troops of Fansan Yamma say they rescued 23 kidnap victims and foiled terrorist attacks in separate operations across Sokoto.
Aliyu Danja, the spokesperson for the operation, said troops also nabbed four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group.
“On 20 September 2026, troops of Sector 2 swiftly responded to a terrorist attack on Sabon Gari in Wurno Local Government Area, where the terrorists had invaded the community and fired sporadically, causing civilians to flee,” he said.
He stated that the troops engaged the terrorists, forcing them to withdraw from the area.
“During the operation, troops rescued six kidnapped victims. One civilian who sustained a gunshot wound during the attack was evacuated to a medical facility for treatment,” he said.
Mr Danja said in a separate operation, troops responded to intelligence indicating terrorists attempting to cross the Sabon Birni–Takatsaba Road around Chabe Biyu in Sabon Birni council area.
“Troops swiftly mobilised and laid an ambush at the terrorists’ axis of advance. Troops engaged the terrorists with firepower on sighting, forcing them to flee in disarray. Troops dominate the general area in order to deny the terrorists freedom of action,” he stated.
According to him, on Sunday troops of Sector 2 responded to a distress call on terrorist activities along the Isa–Kwanar Isa–Shinkafi Road in Isa council area.
He noted that the troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them with firepower, forcing them to withdraw in disarray.
“Exploitation of the area led to the rescue of 17 kidnapped civilians. One of the rescued victims, who sustained a fracture, was immediately evacuated to the General Hospital, Isa, for medical attention,” he said.
He added that troops acted on information about suspected Lakurawa members moving a herd of rustled cattle from Sarma Village towards Illela.
“The troops swiftly mobilised to the location in Illela Local Government Area and established a snap checkpoint along the suspected movement route.
“The operation resulted in the arrest of four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group and the recovery of six cows,” he said.
He added that the suspects and recovered livestock are currently in military custody for further investigation and necessary action, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the group.
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