Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA troops have made substantial operational successes in Zamfara and Katsina States, thwarting planned terrorist assaults, killing a notorious terrorist commander and recovering weapons in series of coordinated operations.
It added that the Air Component of the operation also foiled an attempted large-scale terrorist attack when it intercepted around 300 armed terrorists on motorcycles heading towards villages in Zamfara State.
Troops acting on reliable intelligence have effectively thwarted an impending terrorist attack on villages in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
Troops backed by local security volunteers engaged the terrorists in a heavy gun battle forcing them to escape with what the military said were serious casualties.
In another operation around Dogon Kade, forces who responded to an attack on farmers killed a notorious terrorist leader named as Alhaji Tukur, who is claimed to be the younger brother of terrorist boss Alhaji Shehu Bagiwaye. Several additional terrorists were allegedly shot and fled.
Troops also responded to reports of terrorist operations in Sabon Gari, also in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, the military said. The terrorists saw the soldiers coming and ran into nearby bushes, leaving their operation. Later, troops neutralised one terrorist and recovered a motorbike suspected to have been used by the fleeing suspects.
Troops on military patrol along the Danmusa-Yantumaki axis in Danmusa Local Government Area of adjacent Katsina State confronted another group of militants in a gun duel.
The military overcame the terrorists forcing them to flee and abandon their position, statement said. Two AK47 weapons, two magazines loaded with 25 rounds of ammunition and one motorbike were recovered after a follow up search of the area.
The military said in what it called an effective air-land coordination exercise, the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA stopped a convoy of roughly 300 terrorists riding motorcycles from the Sunke–Kumbo axis to the Bayazaki riverine area en route to Gummi.
The military claimed three air platforms were deployed on the basis of credible intelligence about the movement. It is believed the terrorists sought to hide under trees after spotting the aircraft but they were met with precision airstrikes and thwarted what the military claimed was an intended attack on innocent civilians.
The Joint Task Force lauded the Nigerian Air Force for the operation, adding that the air interdiction was timely and decisive in diminishing terrorist capabilities.
It reaffirmed its determination to continue offensive operations against terrorist and criminal groups across the North-West while reassuring locals that the security forces are determined to protect lives, safeguard communities and restore sustainable peace across the region.
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