Troops Rescue 27 Kidnap Victims, Including Six-Month-Old Baby, in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation FANSAN YANMA have rescued 27 kidnapped victims, including a six-month-old infant, following a gun battle with suspected terrorists in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The operation was conducted by troops of the 17 Brigade under the Joint Task Force (North West) after receiving a distress call from residents of Gamji community at about 12:25 p.m. on Oct. 16, 2026, reporting the activities of suspected terrorists in the area.

Security sources said the troops immediately mobilised to the community but the suspected terrorists had fled into the surrounding bushes with their captives before the soldiers arrived.

The troops subsequently launched a pursuit through Gangare Village towards Kamba Village, where they made contact with the fleeing suspects at about 6:05 p.m.

The soldiers engaged the suspected terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon the captives and flee in disarray into the surrounding bushes.

A subsequent search of the area led to the successful rescue of all 27 victims, comprising 15 males and 12 females, including the six-month-old infant.
The rescued victims were later handed over to the village head of Gamji, Alhaji Falalu Suleiman, following preliminary investigations.

The sources said no casualties were recorded among the troops during the operation, while the casualty status of the suspected terrorists remained unconfirmed.

They added that troops had continued aggressive patrols across the general area to prevent further criminal activities, deny the suspected terrorists freedom of action and enhance the safety of residents.

The successful rescue underscores the importance of timely intelligence from local communities and rapid military response in ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and other security threats in the North-West.

Troops Rescue 27 Kidnap Victims, Including Six-Month-Old Baby, in Katsina

Military, DSS, Police Arrest Five Suspects Involved In Imo Corp Members’ Kidnap

By: Zagazola Makama

*Three others escape with gunshot injuries

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the military and police have arrested five suspected members of a criminal gang allegedly responsible for the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State on Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day.
Five other suspected members of the gang, however, escaped with gunshot injuries prompting a massive manhunt for them.

The suspects were apprehended during a series of intelligence-led operations conducted at different locations in Rivers and Abia States. However, in the course of the operation, three other suspects escaped with varying degrees of injury.

Security sources disclosed that the operations were carried out between October 10 and 14 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Aba South LGA. Abia State.

Recall that 20 NYSC members were abducted by armed men along Owerri–Onitsha Expressway in Imo State on October 1, 2026, as they travelled to their assigned orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

The victims were subsequently rescued on October 7, 2026, during a joint security operation at Amakohia Ubi Village.

The string of operations mark a significant breakthrough in efforts to track down the perpetrators, dismantle the criminal network allegedly responsible for the abduction and bring those involved to justice.

A security source described the development as a major relief, noting that security agencies had sustained a wide-ranging manhunt for the abductors.

“This is a huge sigh of relief. Security agencies have been on a manhunt for the abductors, and we are elated that they have been captured. We strongly believe they will be charged to Court by DSS and the corps members will get justice,” the source said.

Military, DSS, Police Arrest Five Suspects Involved In Imo Corp Members’ Kidnap

Tension in Mangu as Fulani Herdsmen Allege Attack by Security Forces After Gunmen Wound Two, Rustle 70 Cattle

By: Zagazola Makama

Tension has been reported along the Alohom–Sabon Gari axis of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State following an attack in which two Fulani men reportedly sustained gunshot wounds, while more than 70 cattle belonging to a Fulani resident were allegedly rustled.

However, beyond the reported shooting and cattle rustling, what has raised further concern is an allegation by some Fulani residents who witnessed the incident that they were attacked by security personnel on armored vehicle and hilux.

According to an eyewitness, “When we first heard sporadic gunshots, we attempted to run away. We then noticed that they were our security personnel in black a Hilux vehicle. The vehicle quickly withdrew after firing two shots and later returned. We then saw an armoured vehicles. Some people told us to run, but I said no, believing they had come to protect us. Before we knew it, they opened fire on us, forcing us to scamper for safety.”

The allegation, which has yet to be independently verified, has added another layer of concern to an already sensitive security situation in the area, where residents continue alleged that they are being attacked by elements of the security personnel amidst the violence between farmers and herders clashes. While we saw them rustling all our cattle. The missing cattle were reportedly owned by Alhaji Yako, a Fulani resident of the area.

On two occasions, fulani leaders pointed accusing fingers at the personnel of Operation Rainbow who in collaboration with armed militia groups stormed fulani communities to dislodge them and rustle their livestock. In another leaked conversation, a councilor in Plateau was heard saying that “We now have our own security people who are helping us to clear the Fulani. So we dont even need soldiers, they should leave our land,”the councilor was heard saying in a leaked audio.

Tension in Mangu as Fulani Herdsmen Allege Attack by Security Forces After Gunmen Wound Two, Rustle 70 Cattle