Troops Rescue Abducted Victim, Recover Rustled Cows in Kano.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
Dec 28, 2025.
In a decisive early-morning operation on Sunday, troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) successfully rescued an abducted man and recovered rustled cattle following a fierce encounter with armed bandits along the Kano–Katsina border.
The operation was launched after credible intelligence revealed the movement of suspected bandits from Daurawa and Kira areas of Katsina State, advancing toward communities in the Kano axis. Acting swiftly on the tip-off, JTF troops stationed around Yankwada mobilized to intercept the criminals before they could disappear into nearby settlements.
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According to security sources, the troops tracked the bandits to the Ungwan Dogo and Ungwan Tudu areas, where contact was made in the early hours of the day. A gun battle ensued, with the troops engaging the armed men in a coordinated response that overwhelmed the bandits and forced them to flee.
During the operation, one kidnap victim, Rabiu Alhaji Halilu, aged 38, was rescued. Halilu, who had been held captive by the bandits, sustained a gunshot wound to the leg during the encounter. He was promptly evacuated to the JTF Faruruwa Medical Centre, where he is currently receiving treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.
In addition to the rescue, the troops recovered two motorcycles believed to have been used by the bandits for mobility across the difficult terrain. An undisclosed number of cattle earlier rustled from local communities were also recovered, bringing relief to residents who rely heavily on livestock for their livelihoods.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson of the Nigerian Army 3 Brigade, Major Babatunde Zubairu, told SolaceBase that the operation was part of ongoing efforts to deny criminal elements freedom of movement along the Kano–Katsina border.
“Acting swiftly, a fighting patrol was mobilized to the fringe of the Kano/Katsina border. At Ungwan Dogo and Ungwan Tudu, the troops encountered the armed bandits and engaged them in a fierce exchange, forcing the bandits to withdraw in disarray towards Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State,” he said.
Major Zubairu added that troops remain on high alert and are sustaining patrols in the area to prevent further incursions and ensure the safety of residents.
Local community members have commended the military for the timely intervention, describing the operation as a morale booster amid lingering security challenges in parts of the North-West. Many expressed hope that sustained military pressure would further weaken bandit networks and restore lasting peace to border communities.
The rescue operation underscores the military’s continued commitment to combating banditry, protecting lives and property, and responding promptly to actionable intelligence across the region.
