Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have arrested a suspected illicit drug peddler in Kaduna State, while foiling a terrorist attack and rescuing two kidnapped victims in Sokoto state.
The military disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja.
According to the statement, the operations were conducted separately on September 12 and 13, 2026, as troops intensified efforts to deny terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area.
It said troops of Sector 1, on September 12, intercepted a suspect identified as Yohana Musa during a stop-and-search operation along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road.
The suspect, who was reportedly travelling to Birnin Gwari, was found in possession of a large quantity of illicit drugs and other substances.
The military said Musa and the recovered items had been taken into custody for further investigation.
In Sokoto State, troops of Sector 2 responded to a distress call on September 13 following a terrorist attack at Unguwan Lalle in Sabon Birni pocal government council
The troops reportedly made contact with the terrorists and engaged them with firepower, forcing the attackers to withdraw in disarray.
The operation also led to the rescue of two kidnapped victims, the statement said.
It added that acting on further intelligence indicating an attempt by the terrorists to regroup, the troops swiftly mobilised to the area and re-established contact with the group.
The ensuing gun battle reportedly forced the terrorists to withdraw again, while troops conducted further exploitation of the area.
During the operation, the troops recovered 157 rounds of PKT ammunition, phone batteries and other items believed to be of operational value to the terrorists.
The Theatre Commander commended the troops for their gallantry and professionalism, noting that their efforts had contributed to sustaining operational successes across the Joint Operations Area.
The military urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security forces to support ongoing operations and efforts to tackle terrorism and other criminal activities in the region.