Military Intensifies Offensive, Eliminate Dozens of Bandits, Recover Arms, Livestock in Zamfara
Troops of 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have intensified their onslaught against terrorists in Zamfara State, neutralizing several fighters, recovering weapons, and rescuing dozens of stolen livestock during a series of coordinated clearance operations under Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
The operations, which took place between July 22 and 23, targeted known terrorist hideouts and transit routes across Maradun and Anka Local Government Areas, leading to multiple engagements and significant operational gains.
On July 23, troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Fangaltama, Maradun LGA, acting on credible intelligence, launched a fighting patrol toward a location near a tractia company where armed terrorists had been sighted. A fierce exchange of gunfire ensued, resulting in the neutralization of three terrorists. Troops recovered two AK-47 rifles, two Honda motorcycles, an empty magazine, a Tecno mobile phone, a wireless earbud, and several old naira notes from the scene.
A day earlier, on July 22, troops had received intelligence on the movement of a large group of terrorists heading toward Taki Tawas village in Anka LGA. Acting swiftly, they launched a fighting patrol in the area. The Brigade Commander, who was on an operational visit, joined the troops and personally led the encounter. The terrorists fled the area in disarray, abandoning two motorcycles which were recovered by the troops during subsequent mop-up operations.
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In a separate development, in the early hours of July 23, troops—working in collaboration with local vigilantes—staged a successful night ambush near Taki Tawas village. The ambush party engaged fleeing terrorists and pursued them through their withdrawal routes, destroying eight Honda motorcycles used for their operations.
Additionally, troops recovered 14 camels that had been abandoned by the terrorists during the pursuit. Preliminary findings suggest the camels were stolen from nearby local communities. In a follow-up exploitation mission on the same day, an additional 56 cows and one camel were recovered, bringing the total number of livestock retrieved to 78.
The animals were formally handed over to the Chairman of Bakura Local Government Area, Hon. Saidu Danbala, who was represented by the Speaker of the LGA Legislative Council, Hon. Armaya’u Boyi Bakura. Officials from Anka LGA, as well as councillors from Birnin Tudu and Damri villages, witnessed the handover.
Military sources confirmed that the series of successful engagements have significantly weakened the operational capacity of terrorist groups in the region and restored public confidence.
“The general security situation within our Area of Responsibility remains calm but unpredictable. Troops continue to dominate key locations and routes to deny terrorists freedom of action,” a military source noted.
The ongoing clearance missions are part of renewed military efforts to restore lasting peace and stability in Nigeria’s North-West region, particularly in Zamfara State, which has long suffered from terrorist violence and banditry.
By PRNigeria
