Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 48 kidnapped victims following a swift military response to a terrorist attack on Magami village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The rescue operation, carried out in the early hours of Sunday, July 26, 2026, was launched after troops of Sector 2 received a distress call reporting that scores of heavily armed terrorists, riding about 40 motorcycles, had invaded the community.
According to the military, the attackers rounded up dozens of residents with the intention of taking them into the bush, while another group remained stationed at the outskirts of the village with the motorcycles to facilitate their escape.
Troops responded immediately to the emergency and engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle upon arrival at the scene. The superior firepower and rapid intervention forced the terrorists to abandon their captives and flee into the surrounding forest, leading to the successful rescue of all 48 abducted civilians.
Despite the successful operation, the attack claimed the life of one civilian, while two others sustained gunshot wounds. The injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital, Kaura Namoda, where they are receiving treatment.
Following the rescue, troops launched aggressive patrols across the area to prevent further attacks and deny the fleeing terrorists freedom of movement.
Commending the troops for their bravery and professionalism, the Theatre Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations aimed at protecting lives and property across the North-West.
The military also appealed to residents to continue supporting security operations by providing timely and credible intelligence, stressing that public cooperation remains vital to ongoing efforts to eliminate terrorist groups operating in the region.
