Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have neutralised scores of terrorists and intercepted a major ammunition consignment during separate operations in Zamfara and Kaduna states.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by the Media Information Officer, Lt. Aliyu Danja, the operations are part of the military’s sustained offensive aimed at disrupting terrorist networks, cutting off their logistics and denying criminal elements freedom of movement across the North-West.
In Zamfara State, troops of Sector 2 launched an ambush after receiving credible intelligence on the movement of terrorists from the Fakai General Area towards Kwanar Jolof and Tashar Dole in Shinkafi and Zurmi Local Government Areas.
The military stated that troops deployed to Kwanar Jolof engaged the terrorists in a fierce encounter, neutralising scores, while others reportedly fled in disarray.
Following the engagement, troops conducted an exploitation of the area and recovered a significant cache of weapons, ammunition and other military-related items.
Items recovered included one rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher, one RPG bomb, one AK-47 rifle, six AK-47 magazines, 106 rounds of ammunition and one motorcycle, among other items.
The military said the recovery is expected to further degrade the operational capacity of terrorist elements operating within the Shinkafi-Zurmi axis, where security forces have continued to intensify pressure on armed groups.
In a separate operation in Kaduna State, troops of Sector 1 intercepted a vehicle at a snap checkpoint along the Saulawa-Zaria Road, leading to the recovery of another large quantity of ammunition.
During a routine search of the vehicle, one of the passengers reportedly resisted attempts by troops to inspect his bag and attempted to escape after being compelled to open it.
The suspect was pursued by the troops and subsequently neutralised, according to the military.
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A search of the bag thereafter uncovered 793 rounds of ammunition concealed inside gari, a method apparently intended to disguise the movement of the ammunition.
The vehicle and its driver have been taken into military custody as investigations continue into the origin, ownership and intended destination of the ammunition.
The two operations underscore the military’s increasing focus on both the combat and logistical networks supporting terrorist activities in the North-West.
While the Zamfara operation targeted terrorists directly, the Kaduna interception disrupted what the military described as an attempt to move a substantial quantity of ammunition through a major transportation route.
The army said the latest successes form part of ongoing offensive designed to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt the flow of arms and ammunition and deny terrorists the freedom to operate across the Joint Operations Area.
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed that its troops remain committed to sustained operations against terrorism and other forms of insecurity, while working towards the restoration of lasting peace and security in affected communities across the North-West.
