Troops of Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force North West, operating under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, rescued nine kidnapping victims and recovered 108 livestock in the Danko‑Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, officials said on Thursday.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Osoba Olaniyi, the acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 8th Division, the soldiers responded to a distress call reporting that suspected bandits had invaded the Danko general area, abducted residents and rustled cattle. The troops “immediately mobilised to the area and engaged the bandits, compelling them to flee and abandon their captives,” the officer said.
“The troops of Sector 2 received a distress call about suspected bandits who had invaded the Danko general area, kidnapped residents and rustled cattle. The troops immediately mobilised to the area and engaged the bandits, compelling them to flee and abandon their captives,” Olaniyi told journalists in Birnin Kebbi.
The initial clash in the Danko community resulted in the rescue of two victims – Barbuga Bawashe, 26, and Barka Dakaji, 61 – and the recovery of 34 cows and 74 rams, bringing the total number of reclaimed animals to 108.
A follow‑up sweep in the neighbouring villages of Sabon Tunga and Binoni freed seven additional captives who had reportedly been held for several months. The rescued individuals were identified as Muhammad Dogonta, 60; Zakari Yahu, 32; Basara Sheu, 10; Adam Shehu, 12; Hatsat Umar, 14; Albaria Hamsu, 12; and Yehusa Lawali, 35.
The victims were handed over to the District Head of Unashi for reunification with their families. The operation underscores ongoing security challenges in north‑western Nigeria, where banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling have plagued rural communities for years.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
