Troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled an attempt by terrorists to abduct a large number of people at Unguwar Rogo in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
A resident of the community, who spoke anonymously, said the attack was allegedly carried out by fighters loyal to a notorious bandit kingpin, Malan Shuaibu, as a reprisal for recent operations by security forces against the group and its collaborators.
The resident said troops had earlier arrested seven suspected informants and logistics suppliers allegedly working for Shuaibu, including individuals accused of facilitating the transfer of ransom money to terrorists through Point of Sale (POS) agents.
“The security forces arrested seven people who were informants and those who sent ransom money to them through POS. That is why one of his boys planned the mass abduction,” he said.
A security source, who also spoke anonymously, said troops were mobilised to the area following a distress call that terrorists had stormed Unguwar Rogo, blocked roads and begun abducting commuters.
According to the source, Shuaibu and his associates were allegedly angered by the arrest of some of their collaborators while attempting to procure motorcycles and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, for the terrorists.
The resident said the attackers took advantage of vegetation on farmland close to the road to conceal themselves and ambush commuters.
He said farmers had previously been advised by security agencies to avoid cultivating tall crops close to roads, but some had ignored the directive, thereby providing cover for the attackers.
According to him, the terrorists attacked commuters and targeted occupants of vehicles that lost control and veered into surrounding bushes, apparently with the intention of abducting them.
Although the attackers succeeded in abducting three people, the resident said the swift response of the troops prevented a larger abduction and led to the rescue of at least nine victims.
He added that two female victims sustained gunshot wounds during the attack and were receiving medical treatment.
The troops are said to be continuing operations in the area to track the fleeing terrorists, dismantle their support network and prevent further attacks on communities and road users.
When contacted, the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army/Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, and the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, said they were still working on a press release, which would be issued soon.
