Troops kill terrorist kingpin, rescue 31 hostages in Katsina and Kebbi operations

Thursday, September 17, 2026 - Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have rescued 31 kidnapped victims and neutralised two terrorists, including a suspected kingpin, during separate operations in Katsina and Kebbi states.

The troops also arrested two suspected terrorists in Katsina State as part of operations conducted on September 14 and 15, 2026.

The Media Information Officer of the JTF North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt Col Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Danja said troops of Sector 2 were deployed to Funtua Local Government Area, Katsina State, on September 14 following reports that terrorists had abducted civilians from Unguwan Daudu and Unguwan Chibauna communities.

According to him, the troops immediately launched a hot pursuit of the attackers and engaged them in a gun battle, forcing them to flee.

He said the operation resulted in the rescue of 10 victims, comprising three males and seven females, including an infant.

“The rescued victims are in troops’ custody for further action,” Danja stated.

The military spokesman said that on the same day, troops operating in Kebbi State responded to a distress call over the abduction of civilians from Fafala Village in Kangiwa Local Government Area.

He said troops, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a fighting patrol towards Fafala and Dandikwa, where they made contact with the terrorists.

“Troops engaged them in a heavy exchange of fire, forcing the terrorists to withdraw in disarray,” he said.

Danja added that subsequent exploitation of the area led to the rescue of 21 kidnapped victims, who were later reunited with their families.

The JTF spokesman further disclosed that troops recorded another major success in Katsina State on September 15 after receiving intelligence about plans by terrorists to attack communities in Matazu and Kankara local government areas.

He said troops mobilised to the suspected hideout and engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, killing two of them.

“One of the terrorists neutralised was Abbah Alhassan, a known terrorist kingpin,” Danja stated.

He added that other members of the group fled into the surrounding bush during the encounter.

Items recovered from the terrorists’ hideout included 10 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle, a cutlass, camouflage clothing and Indian hemp, among other items.

Danja also said troops arrested two suspected terrorists in the Yantumaki general area of Dan Musa Local Government Area on September 15.

“Preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspects were associated with a terrorist kingpin known as Mannori,” he said.

He added that the suspects were in military custody and would undergo further investigation.

The JTF said the operations demonstrated its continued efforts to rescue victims, disrupt terrorist networks and deny armed groups freedom of action across the North-West.

It urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.

“The Joint Task Force appreciates members of the public for their continued support and urges them to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest security agency,” Danja said.