Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 33 passengers abducted by terrorists in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The rescue operation followed credible intelligence received by troops of Sector 2, JTF North-West, in the late afternoon of Saturday, August 8, 2026, regarding the abduction of commuters travelling through the Magazu area of Tsafe.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Media Information Officer of the JTF North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, the troops, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force deployed in Tsafe, immediately mobilised to the area.

The security forces reportedly made contact with the terrorists as they were moving the abducted passengers to an unknown destination.

The troops engaged the terrorists with effective fire, forcing the assailants to abandon their victims and flee into the surrounding bushes.

“All 33 abducted persons were subsequently secured and rescued by the troops,” the statement said.

Following the successful rescue, the troops commenced exploitation of the general area and intensified efforts to track down the fleeing terrorists.

The Theatre Commander, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, commended the troops for their prompt response and professionalism, noting that the operation resulted in the safe recovery of all 33 passengers without any casualty.

The commander reaffirmed the commitment of the Theatre Command to protecting civilians, denying terrorists freedom of action and securing major transportation routes across the North-West.

The military also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly provide security agencies with credible information on the activities and movements of terrorists and other criminal elements.