Soldiers from the Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, specifically Sector 2, successfully freed 22 individuals held by kidnappers during missions in the Isa and Sabon Birni regions of Sokoto State. Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, the spokesperson for the task force, confirmed the operations occurred on June 18, 2026.
The first rescue operation began after militants intercepted two vehicles near Kura Mota Village on the Sabon Birni–Shinkafi Road, resulting in one civilian fatality and multiple abductions. Military units deployed quickly, using aerial support to track the attackers. This tactical pressure compelled the terrorists to release 17 captives before fleeing.
On the same day, soldiers received an emergency alert regarding farmers targeted by gunmen in Chohi Village. Upon arriving, the troops pursued the assailants, successfully securing five farmers and returning them to their families. Following these events, the military performed security patrols in surrounding villages such as Gidan Rana and Gidan Sale to stabilize the area and build local confidence. These actions reflect the broader mandate of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to safeguard civilians and suppress criminal activity across the North-West.