Zamfara: Troops intercept 180 explosives, neutralize terrorists

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have intercepted 180 explosive materials allegedly being transported to suspected terrorists.

They also neutralized two terrorists during separate operations in Zamfara State.

The development was contained in a statement issued on Saturday, August 15, 2026, by Aliyu Danja, Lieutenant Colonel and Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA.

According to the statement, troops of Sector 2 intercepted a suspected arms and explosives courier during a routine snap check on vehicles in Zamfara on Friday, August 14.

A suspect, identified as 57-year-old Sani Umar, was allegedly transporting 180 units of 20mm Super Power explosives from Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State to suspected terrorist elements operating in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The Army said the suspect, his vehicle and the recovered explosives were in custody for further investigation.

In a separate operation the same day, troops conducting an offensive clearance operation in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area engaged terrorists around Garin Kaso.

The troops neutralized two terrorists during the initial encounter and recovered two rifles, two magazines, nine rounds of ammunition and two motorcycles.

The statement said another group of terrorists later attempted to ambush the troops from concealed positions, but the troops fought through the ambush, inflicting further casualties and forcing the surviving terrorists to flee.

The Army said the exact number of casualties from the second encounter was yet to be confirmed, although reports from communities in the area indicated that some of the fleeing terrorists evacuated colleagues with apparent gunshot wounds as well as the bodies of those who died.

The Theatre Command said the operations were aimed at putting pressure on terrorist groups and disrupting the logistics networks supplying them with weapons, explosives and other resources.

“The Theatre Command remains resolute in sustaining the momentum of ongoing operations and will continue to deny terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action across the North West,” the statement said.