Troops capture alleged Lakurawa terrorists in Sokoto, free 23 hostages

Troops of Fansan Yamma say they rescued 23 kidnap victims and foiled terrorist attacks in separate operations across Sokoto.
Aliyu Danja, the spokesperson for the operation, said troops also nabbed four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group.
“On 20 September 2026, troops of Sector 2 swiftly responded to a terrorist attack on Sabon Gari in Wurno Local Government Area, where the terrorists had invaded the community and fired sporadically, causing civilians to flee,” he said.
He stated that the troops engaged the terrorists, forcing them to withdraw from the area.
“During the operation, troops rescued six kidnapped victims. One civilian who sustained a gunshot wound during the attack was evacuated to a medical facility for treatment,” he said.
Mr Danja said in a separate operation, troops responded to intelligence indicating terrorists attempting to cross the Sabon Birni–Takatsaba Road around Chabe Biyu in Sabon Birni council area.
“Troops swiftly mobilised and laid an ambush at the terrorists’ axis of advance. Troops engaged the terrorists with firepower on sighting, forcing them to flee in disarray. Troops dominate the general area in order to deny the terrorists freedom of action,” he stated.
According to him, on Sunday troops of Sector 2 responded to a distress call on terrorist activities along the Isa–Kwanar Isa–Shinkafi Road in Isa council area.
He noted that the troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them with firepower, forcing them to withdraw in disarray.
“Exploitation of the area led to the rescue of 17 kidnapped civilians. One of the rescued victims, who sustained a fracture, was immediately evacuated to the General Hospital, Isa, for medical attention,” he said.
He added that troops acted on information about suspected Lakurawa members moving a herd of rustled cattle from Sarma Village towards Illela.
“The troops swiftly mobilised to the location in Illela Local Government Area and established a snap checkpoint along the suspected movement route.
“The operation resulted in the arrest of four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group and the recovery of six cows,” he said.
He added that the suspects and recovered livestock are currently in military custody for further investigation and necessary action, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the group.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Diaspora
UK excludes Nigerian-trained teachers from direct QTS application
“From 9 September 2026, teachers who trained to teach in Ghana, India, or Nigeria will no longer be eligible to use the ‘Apply for QTS in England’ service,” the department said.

Education
UniAbuja students advocate skills acquisition alongside academic certificates
Students at the University of Abuja have advocated acquiring practical skills alongside academic qualifications, saying the combination could improve young Nigerians’ employability and promote self-reliance

Politics
Gov Sani approves N3.65 billion for retirees, N21.45 billion paid in three years
Governor Uba Sani has approved ₦3.659 billion to pay pensions, gratuities, and death benefits to retirees and families of deceased public servants across Kaduna.

Anti-Corruption
Gbajabiamila, Ejimakor, Salis, Imasuen, other disgraced fraudulent Nigerian lawyers sanctioned in U.S., UK free to practise in Nigeria: NBA
Disgraced and U.S.-adjudged fraudulent lawyers Femi Gbajabiamila, Owolabi Salis, Aloysius Ejimakor and Neda Imasuen are free to practise in Nigeria, NBA tells Peoples Gazette.

Africa
Guterres demands Africa’s minerals create jobs, backs permanent UN seats
António Guterres has demanded an end to the plundering of Africa’s mineral resources, insisting the continent’s wealth must create jobs and prosperity for Africans.

Economy
Nigeria push for end of exploitation of Africa’s mineral resources at UNGA81
President Bola Tinubu has called for a fresh continental push to end the exploitation of Africa’s critical mineral resources.




