Troops of 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army, operating under Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have intercepted three suspected gun runners and recovered an AK-103-2 rifle, while separately rescuing six victims from suspected terrorists in Zamfara State.
The operations, conducted along the Kauran Namoda–Shinkafi and Anka–Gummi axes, were carried out under the leadership of the Acting Brigade Commander, Col. J. Umaru, according to a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Brigade, Capt. Yusuf Mohammed.
At about 2:05 p.m. on August 23, troops conducting a stop-and-search operation along the Kauran Namoda–Shinkafi Road intercepted three suspected gun runners.
The suspects were identified as 20-year-old Lukman Sulaiman and 18-year-old Nafiu Isa, both from Yar-Galadima, Dan-Sadau District, as well as 60-year-old Adamu Lawali, the driver of the vehicle.
Troops recovered one AK-103-2 rifle, a magazine and 30 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition concealed inside a bag of millet in a Golf Wagon with registration number BMJ-143AA.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were allegedly transporting the weapon to Yar-Galadima in Maru Local Government Area.
The two younger suspects reportedly told investigators that an Alhaji resident 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 to be delivered to one Tijjani Goguwa of Yar-Galadima.
The suspects, weapon, ammunition and vehicle have been taken into custody for further investigation, while efforts are underway to apprehend Goguwa, who is alleged to be the intended recipient of the firearm.
In a separate operation at about 2:30 p.m. the same day, 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 scene and engaged the attackers as they attempted to force the occupants of the vehicle into the bush.
Their swift intervention forced the terrorists to abandon all six victims and flee the area.
The victims were subsequently rescued and evacuated to General Hospital, Anka, for medical attention. Three of them sustained minor injuries and were receiving treatment in stable condition, while efforts were also made to recover the vehicle.
The latest operations underscore the Army’s continued efforts to cripple terrorist logistics networks, deny criminal elements freedom of movement and safeguard civilians along major highways and vulnerable communities in Zamfara.
The troops have also sustained aggressive patrols and surveillance operations across the area to dominate the terrain and prevent terrorists and other criminal elements from establishing a foothold.
