Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), Joint Task Force North West, have foiled a terrorist ambush along the Bingi–Kekun Waje–Gusau Road in Zamfara State.
According to a statement by the Media Information Officer, Operation Fansan Yamma, Capt. David Adewusi, on Tuesday, the incident occurred on January 19, 2026, as troops were returning from a series of successful offensive operations conducted between January 17 and 19 across Birnin Magaji and Anka areas of the state.
According to the statement, troops of Sector 2 OPFY, working with the OPFY Mobile Strike Team and the Defence Intelligence Agency Tactical Support Team, carried out coordinated raids, ambushes and fighting patrols, arresting three suspects identified as Isiya Kwakwatawa, Ibrahim Dan Musulu and Makau Lamba Goma.
The military stated that four terrorists were neutralised during the operations, while several others fled into the forest.
Items recovered include one PKT machine gun, five AK-47 rifles, three AK-47 magazines, quantities of 7.62mm special ammunition, Baofeng radios and three motorcycles.
While responding to a distress call over a suspected terrorist reprisal attack, troops of OPFY Combat Team 1 came under a surprise ambush at Gidan Wagni while en route to Kekun Waje.
The military disclosed that despite the intensity of the attack, the troops engaged the terrorists and prevented them from advancing towards nearby communities. Five soldiers and one police officer were, however, killed in the encounter.
Reinforcements from the OPFY Mobile Strike Team and troops of 1 Brigade Quick Reaction Force from Forward Operating Bases in Kanoma and Kekun Waje were immediately deployed to the area.
The reinforcement was personally led by the Commander of 1 Brigade, highlighting what the army described as strong leadership and operational coordination.
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The combined force mounted a counter-ambush that forced the terrorists to withdraw. Credible intelligence later indicated that a notorious bandit kingpin known as Janwuya and Alhaji Bello, the second-in-command to Kachalla Soja, sustained serious gunshot injuries during the clash, while other fleeing elements were also wounded.
Troops, supported by local vigilantes, continued pursuit operations as further exploitation of the area commenced.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA assured residents that the situation was under control and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property while sustaining pressure on terrorist elements across the North West.
The Theatre Commander condoled with Sector 2 over the loss of personnel and commended the troops for their bravery, sacrifice and professionalism.
Members of the public were urged to remain calm and continue to support security operations with timely and credible information to aid the restoration of lasting peace in the region.
