Troops Arrest Suspected Gun Runners, Rescue 6 Victims From

Troops of the 1 Brigade, operating under the Joint Task Force North West, ‘Operation FANSAN YAMMA’ have arrested three suspected gun runners and rescued six victims during separate operations in Zamfara State.

According to a statement signed by the acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Brigade, Gusau, Yusuf Mohammed, on Monday, August 24, 2026, the operations were conducted along the Kauran Namoda–Shinkafi and Anka–Gummi axis.

At about 2:05 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2026, troops conducting a stop-and-search operation along the Kauran Namoda–Shinkafi Road intercepted a Volkswagen Golf Wagon with registration number BMJ-143AA and arrested three suspected gun runners.

The suspects were identified as 20-year-old Lukman Sulaiman and 18-year-old Nafiu Isa, both reportedly from Yar-Galadima, Dan-Sadau District, as well as 60-year-old Adamu Lawali, the driver of the vehicle.

During the operation, the troops recovered one AK-103-2 rifle, one magazine and 30 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition. The weapon was allegedly concealed inside a bag of millet in the vehicle.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were allegedly transporting the firearm to Yar-Galadima in Maru Local Government Area.

The two younger suspects reportedly told investigators that a resident of Gusau, whom they identified as their father, provided money for the purchase of the millet used to conceal the weapon.

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They further alleged 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 and legal action, while efforts are ongoing to arrest Goguwa, who is alleged to be the owner of the firearm.

In a separate operation at about 2:30 p.m. on the same day, troops deployed at Anka, detected through surveillance cameras an attack on a vehicle by suspected terrorists at Gadan Manya along the Anka–Gummi Main Supply Route.

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 swift intervention forced the suspected terrorists to abandon all six victims and flee the area. The victims were subsequently rescued and evacuated to the General Hospital, Anka, for medical attention.

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

The troops also made efforts to recover the vehicle involved in the incident.

The army said the operations underscore the commitment of troops under ‘Operation FANSAN YAMMA’ to disrupting terrorist logistics networks, denying criminal elements freedom of action and protecting civilians along major routes and vulnerable communities.

It added that troops have sustained patrols and surveillance operations across the area to dominate the terrain and prevent terrorists from establishing freedom of action.