Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West under Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued 48 kidnapped victims after repelling an attack by suspected terrorists on Magami village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The military disclosed on Sunday that the operation followed a distress call received in the early hours of July 26, reporting that dozens of armed terrorists riding on about 40 motorcycles had invaded the community.

According to the military, the attackers rounded up many residents with the intention of taking them into the forest, while another group remained on the outskirts of the village with the motorcycles.

Troops from Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA swiftly responded to the distress call and engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle immediately on arrival at the scene.

The military said the sustained exchange of fire forced the assailants to abandon the abducted victims and flee into the surrounding bush, leading to the successful rescue of all 48 kidnapped civilians.

However, one civilian was killed during the attack, while two others sustained gunshot injuries. The injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital in Kaura Namoda, where they are receiving treatment.

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Following the operation, troops carried out aggressive patrols across the area to prevent further attacks and track down the fleeing terrorists.

The Theatre Command of Operation FANSAN YAMMA commended the troops for their bravery and professionalism during the rescue mission, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the North-West.

It also appealed to residents to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies to strengthen ongoing operations against terrorist groups in the region.

The military spokesman for the Joint Task Force (North-West), Lt.-Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday.