Troops Foil Terrorist Attacks, Neutralise Notorious Commander in Zamfara

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled coordinated terrorist attacks, neutralised a notorious terrorist commander and disrupted a large-scale assault through precision airstrikes during separate operations in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that troops of Sector 2, acting on credible intelligence, swiftly mobilised alongside local security volunteers to prevent an imminent terrorist attack on communities in the area.

The troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce firefight, forcing the attackers to retreat with several casualties.

In a related operation around Dogon Kade, troops responding to an attack on farmers neutralised Alhaji Tukur, identified as a notorious terrorist commander and younger brother of wanted terrorist kingpin Alhaji Shehu Bagiwaye.

Several other terrorists sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter and fled into nearby forests.

In another operation at Sabon Gari, also in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, troops responded promptly to reports of terrorist activities. On sighting the advancing troops, the terrorists abandoned their mission and escaped into nearby bushes.

A follow-up exploitation of the area led to the neutralisation of one terrorist and the recovery of a motorcycle believed to have been used by the fleeing suspects.

Meanwhile, in a major boost to ongoing counter-terrorism operations, the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA intercepted an estimated 300 terrorists travelling on motorcycles from the Sunke-Kumbo axis towards the Bayazaki riverine area en route to Gummi.

Acting on credible intelligence, three Nigerian Air Force aircraft were deployed to intercept the convoy. As the terrorists attempted to disperse and seek cover beneath trees, the air platforms carried out precision strikes, inflicting heavy casualties and successfully foiling the planned attack.

Military authorities described the operation as another demonstration of the effective synergy between ground troops and the Air Component, noting that the successful interdiction significantly degraded the terrorists’ operational capability.