Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA have recorded fresh successes against terrorists in Zamfara state.
The Operation’s Media Information Officer, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed on Saturday that troops in separate operations across the state disrupted terrorist movements, recovered military accoutrements and logistics items, and neutralised an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted along a major road.
Danja disclosed that in Zurmi Local Government Area, troops of Sector 2, working with a Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, responded to a report of a suspected IED near Jabanda village. The team located and cleared the device, scanned the road and declared it safe for motorists.
He said while returning from the operation, the troops encountered terrorists at Birnin Tsaba village in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area. The troops engaged the terrorists, forcing them to flee into the bush. A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of two motorcycles, a camouflage jungle hat, a handheld radio and other items.
According to him, the troops of Sector 2, working in collaboration with the Mobile Police Squadron, acted on credible intelligence about terrorist activity around Kwanar Jolof in Shinkafi Local Government Area, engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to withdraw in disarray, noting that a follow-up search resulted in the recovery of a motorcycle, two camouflage uniforms, a camouflage vest, a jungle hat and other items.
He said in another operation near Maradun, troops intercepted a suspected terrorist collaborator and logistics vendor, 35-year-old Lawali Dan Alo. A search of his bag, which he claimed contained food items, uncovered ₦5.302 million in cash and a mobile phone. Preliminary interrogation indicated that he was allegedly transporting the money on behalf of a terrorist leader to another individual, identified as Kasimu Garba, who was subsequently arrested at his residence. Both suspects are in custody for further investigation.
The Theatre Command commended the troops for their vigilance, courage and prompt response, assuring that aggressive patrols, intelligence-led operations and targeted actions against terrorist networks would continue across the North West.
It also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support efforts to restore lasting peace in the region.
