Troops overpower, capture terrorist suspect in Kaduna

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have thwarted a suspected terrorist movement, recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition, and arrested a suspected criminal during separate operations in Kaduna State.

In a post on X, a counter-terrorism expert, Zagazola Makama, said the operations were conducted between September 23 and 24, 2026, as troops sustained clearance operations to disrupt terrorist and criminal activities across the Joint Operations Area.

According to him, on September 23, troops of Sector 1, acting on credible intelligence about the movement of suspected terrorists through the bushes around Rijana in Kachia Local Government Area, swiftly mobilised to the area and laid an ambush.

He added that the troops engaged the terrorists after sighting them, forcing the suspects to flee into the surrounding terrain.

The security expert further revealed that during a follow-up exploitation of the area, the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one magazine loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition, one magazine carrier and a military jungle hat, among other items.

In a separate operation the same day, Makama said troops conducted a clearance operation at Awom village in Kachia LGA to deny terrorists and other criminal elements access to safe havens within the community.

“During the operation, the troops arrested a suspected criminal identified as Jacob, who was found in possession of one fabricated pistol and seven rounds of ammunition.

“The suspect remains in military custody for further investigation,” he said.