Army Arrests Three Suspected Gun Runners, Rescues Six Victims In Zamfara

Troops of 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army, operating under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have arrested three suspected gun runners and rescued six victims from a terrorist attack in separate operations in Zamfara State.

The operations were conducted along the Kauran Namoda–Shinkafi and Anka–Gummi axes on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

In the first operation, troops conducting a stop-and-search operation along the Kauran Namoda–Shinkafi Road at about 2:05pm intercepted a Golf Wagon carrying three suspected gun runners.

The suspects were identified as 20-year-old Lukman Sulaiman, 18-year-old Nafiu Isa and 60-year-old Adamu Lawali, the driver of the vehicle.

The Army said troops recovered one AK-103-2 rifle, a magazine and 30 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed inside a bag of millet in the vehicle, with registration number BMJ-143AA.

Preliminary investigation indicated that the weapon was allegedly being transported to Yar-Galadima in Maru Local Government Area.

The two younger suspects reportedly told investigators that an Alhaji based in Gusau, whom they identified as their father, provided money to purchase the millet used to conceal the weapon.

They also allegedly claimed that the firearm was intended for delivery to one Tijjani Goguwa of Yar-Galadima.

The suspects, weapon, ammunition and vehicle have been taken into custody for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to arrest Goguwa, who is alleged to be the intended recipient of the weapon.

In a separate operation at about 2:30pm, troops at Forward Operating Base Anka detected an attack on a vehicle by suspected terrorists at Gadan Manya along the Anka–Gummi Main Supply Route through surveillance cameras.

The troops immediately mobilised to the location and engaged the attackers as they attempted to force the occupants of the vehicle into the bush.

The Army said the intervention disrupted the attack and forced the terrorists to abandon all six victims and flee.

The victims were rescued and evacuated to General Hospital Anka for medical attention.

Three of those rescued sustained minor injuries and were receiving treatment in stable condition, according to the Army.

Troops also made efforts to recover the vehicle involved in the incident.

The Army said the operations demonstrated the commitment of 1 Brigade troops to disrupting terrorist logistics networks, protecting civilians and denying criminal elements freedom of movement along major routes and vulnerable communities.

It added that troops would sustain patrols and surveillance operations across the area to maintain control of the terrain and prevent terrorists from establishing freedom of action.