Nigerian troops rescue 48 abducted villagers in Zamfara raid

Nigerian troops have successfully rescued 48 villagers who were abducted by terrorists in Magami village, Zamfara State. The operation, conducted by the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, was launched after receiving a distress call about dozens of heavily armed terrorists invading the community.

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Troops of Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 48 kidnapped victims following a swift response to a terrorist attack on Magami village, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, in the early hours of 26 July 2026.

The military stated that the terrorists, arriving on approximately 40 motorcycles, rounded up residents with the intention of taking them into the bush. Upon arrival, troops engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee. The swift intervention led to the rescue of all 48 civilians.

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The operation was launched after troops of Sector 2 received a distress call indicating that a large group of terrorists, riding about 40 motorcycles, had invaded the community. The terrorists rounded up numerous residents with the intention of taking them into the bush, while another group remained at the outskirts of the village with the motorcycles.

During the attack, one civilian lost their life, and two others sustained gunshot injuries. They were taken to the General Hospital in Kaura Namoda for treatment. Following the rescue, troops conducted aggressive patrols in the area to deter further terrorist activities. The Theatre Command commended the troops' professionalism and reaffirmed its commitment to restoring security in the North-West region.

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On arrival at the scene, the troops immediately engaged the terrorists in a fierce firefight, forcing them to abandon the kidnapped victims and flee into the surrounding bush. The prompt intervention led to the successful rescue of all 48 abducted civilians.