Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Fansan Yamma, have rescued a kidnapping victim and recovered 18 rustled cattle following an attack by suspected terrorists in Kebbi State.

The operation took place on Sunday, October 18, 2026, after security personnel received a distress call about an invasion of Rambo village in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, where armed men reportedly attempted to abduct residents and steal cattle.

The Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday.

According to Danja, troops of Sector 2, working alongside local vigilantes, immediately mobilised to the community and engaged the suspected attackers in a gunfight.

The armed men reportedly fled during the confrontation, allowing the troops to rescue a 40-year-old resident identified as Suleiman Maiyaki Ikara and recover the stolen livestock.

The rescued man and the recovered cattle were subsequently handed over to the district head of Rambo village for further action, the military said.

Four Suspected Drug Peddlers Arrested

In a separate security operation conducted on the same day, troops collaborated with personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to raid suspected drug trafficking locations in Maiyama Local Government Area.

The raids targeted locations in Dakin Kowa, Karaye and Gubba communities.

The operation led to the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of substances suspected to be illicit drugs.

Danja said the suspects and recovered substances had been handed over to the NDLEA command in Maiyama for further investigation and appropriate action.

The task force reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining military operations against terrorists and other criminal groups operating within its area of responsibility.

It also commended residents for supporting security agencies and urged communities to provide timely and credible information that could help prevent attacks and improve security.

The latest operation comes amid continuing security challenges in parts of Kebbi State, where rural communities have faced incidents of kidnapping and cattle rustling.

Accord Party presidential aspirant Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s approach to tackling insecurity, saying Nigeria is effectively at war but lacks a clear and coordinated strategy to defeat terrorist groups and criminal gangs.

Hashim argued that despite ongoing military operations, terrorists and armed criminal groups continue to dictate the pace of violence in several parts of the country. He maintained that the nation’s security challenges require more than isolated military offensives, calling instead for a comprehensive national strategy backed by strong political leadership.

According to him, Nigeria’s armed forces possess the capacity to restore security if provided with consistent direction, adequate support, and a clearly defined mission. He stressed that defeating insecurity requires improved intelligence gathering, stronger inter-agency coordination, and sustained political commitment.

Hashim further urged the federal government to treat the country’s security situation with greater urgency, warning that prolonged instability could continue to undermine economic growth, investment, and public confidence in government institutions.

His comments come amid ongoing national debate over security policy, even as the Tinubu administration has announced measures including expanding the Nigerian Army and increasing investment in technology and military capabilities to address the country’s security threats.

In a significant move to enhance connectivity, durability, and economic development across Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given the green light for the immediate reconstruction of three critical federal roads in Niger State, alongside the extension of the strategic Bodo–Bonny Road in Rivers State to link up with the East–West Road.

The three roads in Niger State earmarked for full reconstruction will utilize reinforced concrete pavement to guarantee long-lasting performance and better value for money. The projects include:

• Mokwa–Bida Road(approximately 120 km)
• Mokwa–Makeri Road (63 km)
• Bida–Labata Road (123.5 km)

These upgrades aim to improve transportation efficiency, reduce maintenance costs over time, and support socio-economic activities in the North-Central region.

Additionally, President Tinubu has directed the extension of the Bodo–Bonny Road in Rivers State by connecting it to the East–West Road. This extension will be constructed as a *dual carriageway using concrete pavement and will feature solar-powered street lighting for enhanced safety and sustainability. The initiative is expected to boost access to coastal communities, facilitate trade, and strengthen integration in the Niger Delta area.

This approval underscores the administration’s ongoing commitment to revitalizing legacy infrastructure projects and delivering durable, high-quality road networks nationwide under the Renewed Hope Agenda.