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By News Desk

Prime Brief Media | June 16, 2026

KEBBI/ZAMFARA, NIGERIA — Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have recorded fresh operational successes in the North‑West, repelling an attack by suspected Lakurawa terrorists in Kebbi State and rescuing six kidnapped victims in Zamfara State following sustained military offensives targeting criminal groups operating across the region.

According to an operational report made available to THEWILL on Monday, troops of the 8 Division under Sector 2 successfully foiled an attempted attack by suspected Lakurawa terrorists during a clearance operation in Kebbi State. The report disclosed that the operation was carried out on Sunday around the Dogon Daji community in the Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, where troops encountered the terrorists while conducting an offensive mission aimed at clearing criminal elements from the area. Military authorities said the terrorists engaged the advancing troops in a fierce gun battle but were eventually overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the Nigerian military, forcing them to abandon their positions and retreat.

Following the confrontation, troops launched a pursuit operation and carried out exploitation activities across the surrounding area to prevent regrouping by the fleeing terrorists. Items recovered during the operation included rocket‑propelled grenade launch tubes, rocket‑propelled grenades, several improvised explosive devices, two motorcycles, a charger, and other personal belongings believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing terrorists. The military report confirmed that no casualties were recorded among the troops involved in the operation.

In a related development, troops under the same military operation rescued six kidnapped victims who escaped captivity after sustained military pressure and precision air interdiction operations conducted against terrorist hideouts in Zamfara State. According to a separate operational report released on Monday, troops of the 1 Brigade Combat Team 6 deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Gwashi, Bukuyyum Local Government Area, intercepted the victims on Friday along the Gwashi‑Bukuyyum road shortly after their escape. Military authorities said the victims regained freedom after an air interdiction mission carried out by the Nigerian Air Force targeting criminal hideouts west of Bagega Forest, an area believed to serve as a major operational base for armed groups in the state.

The rescued victims were identified as Muhammad Sani from Masama community, Junaidu Muhammad from Gandun Malam, Abubakar Abdullahi and Abubakar Barau from Maibaka, Surajo Abubakar of Dogon Daji, and Nasiru Hakilu from Adabka village, all within the Bukuyyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State. According to the report, the victims had spent several months in captivity before eventually escaping amid intensified military operations against their abductors. Military authorities said efforts were ongoing to reunite the rescued victims with their families while ensuring they receive necessary care and support following their ordeal. The rescue operation comes as security forces continue to intensify coordinated attacks against armed groups operating in forests and remote communities across the North‑West region.

Key Facts

Location: Dogon Daji community, Dandi LGA, Kebbi State

Lakurawa terrorists repelled; multiple weapons recovered

No military casualties recorded

Six kidnap victims rescued in Zamfara

Victims spent months in captivity before escape

Nigerian Air Force provided air interdiction support