Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 1 Brigade operating under the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have recorded separate operational successes in Zamfara State, intercepting suspected gun runners and rescuing six people from an attempted terrorist abduction.
The operations were carried out along the Kauran Namoda–Shinkafi and Anka–Gummi axes on Saturday, August 23, under the leadership of the Acting Commander of 1 Brigade, Colonel J. Umaru.
During a stop-and-search operation at about 2:05 p.m. along the Kauran Namoda–Shinkafi Road, troops intercepted a Golf Wagon with registration number BMJ-143AA and arrested three suspects over the alleged movement of a firearm and ammunition.
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The suspects were identified as Lukman Sulaiman, 20; Nafiu Isa, 18; and Adamu Lawali, 60, the driver of the vehicle.
Troops recovered an AK-103-2 rifle, one magazine and 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, which were concealed inside a bag of millet.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were allegedly transporting the weapon to Yar-Galadima in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Further investigation reportedly revealed that the two younger suspects alleged that a man they identified as their father, an Alhaji resident in Gusau, provided money for the purchase of the millet used to conceal the firearm. They also alleged that the weapon was intended for delivery to Tijjani Goguwa of Yar-Galadima.
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The suspects, recovered weapon, ammunition and vehicle have been taken into custody for further investigation and possible legal action. Military authorities said efforts were ongoing to locate and arrest Goguwa, who is alleged to be connected to the weapon.
In a separate operation later the same day, troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base, Anka, detected an attack on a vehicle at Gadan Manya along the Anka–Gummi Main Supply Route through surveillance cameras.
The troops immediately mobilised to the scene and engaged the suspected terrorists as they allegedly attempted to force the occupants of the vehicle into the bush.
The military intervention disrupted the attack, forcing the assailants to abandon all six victims and flee the area.
The rescued victims were evacuated to the General Hospital, Anka, for medical attention. Three of them sustained minor injuries and were reported to be in stable condition while receiving treatment.
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Troops also made efforts to recover the vehicle involved in the attack.
The Nigerian Army said the operations demonstrated the continued commitment of troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA to disrupting terrorist logistics networks, restricting the movement of criminal groups and protecting civilians along major roads and vulnerable communities.
Military authorities added that troops have sustained patrols and surveillance operations across the affected areas to maintain pressure on terrorist groups and prevent them from operating freely.
