Troops Intercept Courier With Explosive Materials in Zamfara

The troops of Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have neutralised terrorists, recovered weapons and intercepted 180 explosive materials being conveyed to terrorist elements in Zamfara State.

According to a statement signed by the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North West) Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt Colonel Aliyu Danja, on Friday, troops of Sector 2 conducted an offensive clearance operation in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area and made contact with terrorists around Garin Kaso and engaged them in a fierce firefight.

Two terrorists were confirmed neutralised during the initial encounter, while troops recovered 2 rifles, 2 magazines, 9 rounds of ammunition and 2 motorcycles.

Danja added that as the operation progressed, another group of terrorists attempted to ambush the troops from concealed positions, saying, “The troops responded decisively and successfully fought through the ambush, inflicting further casualties on the terrorists and forcing the surviving elements to flee.

“Although the exact number of terrorist casualties from the subsequent encounter is yet to be confirmed, reports from the communities within the general area indicated that several terrorists with apparent gunshot wounds, as well as bodies of their neutralised colleagues, were evacuated by the fleeing elements following the encounter. This further indicates the significant pressure being brought to bear on terrorist groups as troops continue to take the fight to their enclaves.”

In another development on the same day, troops of Sector 2 conducting routine snap checks on vehicles intercepted a suspected arms and explosives courier, identified as 57-year-old Sani Umar. A search of the suspect’s vehicle led to the recovery of 180 units of 20mm Super Power explosives allegedly being transported from Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State for delivery to suspected terrorist elements operating in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State. The suspect, vehicle and recovered explosives are currently in custody for further investigation.

Danja maintained that the operations demonstrate the sustained offensive posture of Operation FANSAN YAMMA in simultaneously taking the fight to terrorist enclaves and disrupting the logistics networks that provide them with weapons, explosives and other resources required to perpetrate violence.

The Theatre Command remains resolute in sustaining the momentum of ongoing operations and will continue to deny terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action across the North West.