Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have rescued 11 kidnapped victims during two separate military operations in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The rescues took place on October 30 and 31, 2026, following encounters between Nigerian soldiers and suspected armed bandits and terrorists operating in the area.

The spokesman for the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, disclosed the operations in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday.

Troops rescue seven abducted residents near Ribah
According to Osoba, the first operation followed a distress call reporting that armed bandits had blocked a road leading to Ribah town and attempted to invade the community.

When troops arrived, they discovered that residents had been abducted and motorcycles abandoned at the scene.

The soldiers immediately pursued the attackers and engaged them in a gun battle, forcing the gunmen to flee and abandon seven kidnapped victims.

The rescued victims were identified as Sa’adu Bala, Dantani Yahyi, Nura Musa, Nasiru Muhammad, Abdulakeem Abubakar, Abdulahi Maikudi and Zaki Gom.
The military said all seven victims were subsequently reunited with their families.

Four farm workers rescued in Wasagu
In a separate operation around Wasagu, troops conducting routine patrols came under attack by suspected terrorists.

The soldiers reportedly repelled the attackers, forcing them to abandon four people who had earlier been abducted from their farms in Wasagu village.

The rescued victims were identified as Lawali Ali, Samaila Shuaibu, Kasimu Shuaibu and Aliyu Bala.
The four residents were subsequently handed over to the community head.

Army pledges continued operations in Kebbi

The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations against armed bandits and other criminal groups in the North-West.

Osoba said troops would continue responding to security threats and protecting communities across their area of responsibility.

The latest operation comes amid persistent insecurity in parts of Kebbi State, where armed groups have carried out kidnappings, attacks on rural communities and other violent activities.

The rescue of the 11 victims provides relief to the affected families, although the operations did not result in any reported arrests of the attackers.