Troops of the Nigerian Army, under Operation Fasan Yamma, have killed 23 terrorists and rescued 26 kidnapped victims in Katsina State.
A credible source at the Army Headquarters told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the successes were recorded during a fierce encounter on Saturday.
According to the source, the troops engaged the terrorists at Pauwa village in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State. With support from air and artillery components, they neutralised about 23 terrorists.
“The troops rescued 23 kidnapped victims made up of 12 women and 11 children,” the source said, adding that motorcycles, spare parts, lubricants, farm machinery and foodstuffs recovered from the terrorists were destroyed.
In the North East, the source disclosed 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.
He further revealed 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.
In Adamawa, five other suspects linked to theft and drug peddling were arrested during a raid at Muva village.
“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,” the source said.
The source also revealed that troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN intervened in a farmer-herder clash in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State to prevent escalation.
He assured that the Army would sustain pressure on terrorists and criminals until peace is fully restored, while urging members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
Operation Fasan Yamma, which translates as “Salvage the West,” is a joint Nigerian military operation launched in late 2024 to combat banditry and terrorism in the North West, covering states such as Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi, Kaduna, and Niger. It was established by the Defence Headquarters through the merger of previous operations, including Operation Hadarin Daji and Operation Whirl Punch, to improve coordination and effectiveness in fighting organised criminal networks.
