Troops rescue 119 kidnap victims, destroy bandit hideouts in Southern Kaduna

Troops of Sub-Sector 5, Operation FANSAN YANMA, have rescued no fewer than 119 kidnapped victims, neutralised several bandits and destroyed multiple criminal hideouts during sustained operations across Southern Kaduna.

The Commander of Sub-Sector 5, Operation FANSAN YANMA, Navy Capt. Patrick Onoja Ali, disclosed this while speaking with defence correspondents in Kachia on Thursday.

Ali said the achievements resulted from intelligence-led clearance operations, fighting patrols and joint security missions conducted across the formation’s area of responsibility.

According to him, Sub-Sector 5 was established on January 28, 2024, to strengthen security and restore law and order in Kachia, Kajuru, Chikun, Kagarko and parts of Zangon Kataf Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.

He explained that the formation comprises the 312 Artillery Regiment, 305 Artillery Regiment, Maritime Component and the Department of State Services (DSS) Special Operations Force.

The commander identified kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery, cattle rustling and attacks on farming communities as the major security challenges facing the area.

Despite these threats, he said troops had maintained operational momentum through aggressive clearance operations and community-based intelligence gathering.

Ali revealed that on January 31 and February 1, 2026, troops conducted clearance operations across four different axes within the joint operations area. The operations led to the destruction of several bandit camps, disrupting criminal activities and limiting the movement of armed groups.

He added that on February 4, troops deployed in Kachia carried out a fighting patrol to Angwan Wahala following reports of kidnapping and motorcycle theft.

“During the operation, troops engaged the fleeing bandits, neutralised one of them, rescued seven kidnapped victims and recovered three stolen motorcycles,” he said.

The rescued victims were later reunited with their families, while security agencies took custody of the recovered motorcycles.

Ali described the rescue of 88 kidnapped victims in Kurmin-Risga as one of the formation’s most significant achievements.

He said the victims were abducted during a church service before troops, working alongside other security agencies, launched a coordinated rescue operation.

“On February 5, we conducted a joint operation following the kidnapping incident in Kurmin-Risga. The operation resulted in the rescue of 88 victims, who were later handed over to the Kaduna State Government and reunited with their families,” he said.

The commander further disclosed that troops conducting operations in the Kajuru axis between February 12 and 13 recovered 24 kidnapped victims who escaped from a bandit enclave in the Rijana Forest.

According to him, authorities handed the victims over to local officials before reuniting them with their families.

Ali also said troops arrested four suspected bandits in March and transferred them to the Headquarters of 1 Division Nigerian Army for further investigation and possible prosecution.

He noted that troops continue to maintain a strong security presence along major routes and vulnerable communities within the operational area through stop-and-search duties, fighting patrols and community protection missions.

The commander added that troops recently responded to intelligence about a planned attack on farmers in Makyali community, deploying personnel to the area to prevent the threat and protect residents.