Troops of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY), have arrested a suspected arms courier and recovered a large cache of ammunition during separate operations in Zamfara and Kaduna states aimed at disrupting terrorist and criminal networks across the region.
The military said the operations also led to the recovery of 53 rustled cattle and the thwarting of a cattle theft attempt in Kaduna State.
According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt. Aliyu Danja, on Friday night, troops of Sector 2 deployed at a checkpoint in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, intercepted a civilian vehicle heading towards Shinkafi Local Government Area on June 5.
A thorough search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered a locally fabricated pistol, a magazine and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition concealed inside a sack filled with millet.
The military identified the suspect as 42-year-old Mustapha Abubakar, who is alleged to be involved in the illegal transportation of arms and ammunition to terrorist groups operating in the North-West.
Troops immediately arrested the suspect and secured the recovered items for further investigation.
Preliminary investigations, according to the military, suggest that the suspect was on his way to deliver the weapons and ammunition to an accomplice.
Security agencies have since launched efforts to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected criminal network.
In a separate operation conducted on June 3, troops of Sector 1 Operation Fansan Yamma foiled an attempted cattle rustling operation in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The operation followed a distress call from a local herder who reported that armed criminals had rustled his cattle.
Acting on the information, troops quickly mobilised and strategically positioned themselves along the suspected escape route used by the rustlers.
The soldiers subsequently encountered the criminals as they attempted to move the stolen livestock out of the area, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
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The military said the rustlers were forced to abandon the animals and flee into nearby bushes under sustained military pressure.
A total of 53 cattle were recovered during the operation and later returned to their rightful owner.
Operation Fansan Yamma described the successes as part of ongoing efforts to degrade terrorist and bandit networks, disrupt the supply of weapons to criminal groups and safeguard communities across the North-West.
The military noted that denying terrorists access to arms and ammunition remains critical to ongoing security operations in the region.
The Theatre Command commended troops for their vigilance, professionalism and resilience, while urging residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence.
According to the military, public cooperation remains essential to ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace, security and stability across the North-West theatre of operations.
