Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have recorded major successes against terrorists in Zamfara and Katsina states, foiling coordinated attacks on communities, neutralising a notorious terrorist commander, recovering arms and motorcycles, and disrupting a planned large-scale assault through coordinated air and ground operations.
Key Highlights
- Operation FANSAN YAMMA troops foiled planned terrorist attacks in Zamfara.
- Notorious terrorist commander Alhaji Tukur neutralised during operation.
- Terrorists repelled from Kaura Namoda and Danmusa after fierce gun battles.
- Troops recovered two AK-47 rifles, ammunition, magazines and motorcycles.
- Nigerian Air Force airstrikes neutralised terrorists moving in a convoy of about 300 motorcycles.
- Military reaffirms commitment to restoring peace across Nigeria’s North West.
The military disclosed that troops of Sector 2 acted on credible intelligence indicating an imminent terrorist attack on communities in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Working alongside local security volunteers, the troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to retreat with several casualties after successfully repelling the attack.
In a related operation around Dogon Kade, troops responding to an attack on farmers neutralised Alhaji Tukur, identified as a notorious terrorist commander and younger brother of wanted terrorist kingpin Alhaji Shehu Bagiwaye.
According to the military, several other terrorists sustained gunshot wounds and fled into nearby forests.
In another operation carried out the same day in Sabon Gari, also within Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, troops responded swiftly to reports of terrorist activities.
The terrorists reportedly abandoned their mission and escaped into surrounding bushes upon sighting the advancing troops.
A follow-up clearance operation led to the neutralisation of one terrorist and the recovery of a motorcycle believed to have been used by the fleeing suspects.
In neighbouring Katsina State, troops on a fighting patrol engaged terrorists along the Danmusa-Yantumaki axis in Danmusa Local Government Area.
The military said the troops overpowered the terrorists, forcing them to flee and abandon their position.
During the exploitation of the area, security forces recovered two AK-47 rifles, two magazines containing 25 rounds of ammunition, and one motorcycle.
In a major boost to ongoing counter-terrorism operations, the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA intercepted a large convoy of approximately 300 terrorists travelling on motorcycles from the Sunke-Kumbo axis towards the Bayazaki riverine area en route to Gummi.
Acting on credible intelligence, three Nigerian Air Force aircraft were deployed to intercept the terrorists before they could launch attacks on civilian communities.
The military said the terrorists attempted to disperse and seek cover beneath trees after spotting the aircraft but were successfully engaged with precision airstrikes.
The operation effectively disrupted what the military described as a planned large-scale attack on innocent civilians while significantly degrading the terrorists’ operational capability.
The Joint Task Force commended the Nigerian Air Force for the timely air interdiction, describing the operation as another demonstration of effective air-land coordination in the fight against terrorism.
The military reaffirmed its determination to sustain offensive operations against terrorists and other criminal elements across the North West, assuring residents that efforts would continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, protect lives and property, and restore lasting peace across the region.
The statement was signed by the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North West) Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja.
