By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto
SOKOTO — Troops of Sector 2 under the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have recorded another operational success in the ongoing military campaign against terrorism and banditry in the North-West, neutralising armed terrorists and recovering a cache of weapons and ammunition during a coordinated fighting patrol in Zamfara State.
Military authorities said the latest operation reflects renewed momentum in efforts to dismantle criminal networks, disrupt terrorist activities and restore stability in communities that have endured years of violent attacks, kidnappings and rural insecurity.
According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, the operation was conducted in the early hours of Thursday, May 7, 2026, across parts of Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji Local Government Areas of Zamfara State.
The troops were said to have acted on actionable intelligence and sustained surveillance reports indicating the movement and presence of armed elements within the affected corridors.
Military authorities explained that the patrol formed part of a broader offensive strategy aimed at denying terrorists freedom of movement, weakening their operational bases and disrupting activities across known flashpoints in the state.
Troops engage terrorists in fierce gun battle
During the operation, troops reportedly encountered heavily armed terrorists at Doumbourum village.
The contact immediately led to what military officials described as a fierce exchange of gunfire between the advancing troops and the armed group.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Danja, the troops responded with superior firepower, overwhelming the attackers and forcing them to retreat from the area.
He said the terrorists fled in disarray after suffering casualties during the confrontation.
Military sources confirmed that three terrorists were neutralised during the gun battle, while several others escaped with varying degrees of injuries into nearby forest areas.
Weapons and ammunition recovered
Following the operation, security personnel recovered a significant quantity of weapons and ammunition abandoned at the scene.
Items recovered include one AK-47 rifle, one machine gun, one locally fabricated handgun, seven rifle magazines and 571 rounds of live ammunition.
Military officials said the recovery is significant because it weakens the operational capability of armed groups active within the area and limits their ability to launch further attacks on nearby communities.
No casualty recorded among troops
The military also disclosed that no casualty was recorded among troops who participated in the operation.
Officials described the development as a morale boost for personnel engaged in ongoing counterterrorism operations across the North-West.
According to the Joint Task Force, the successful outcome reflects improved coordination, tactical discipline and the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations being carried out under Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
Military intensifies pressure on criminal networks
The Joint Task Force said the operation forms part of sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist hideouts, disrupt logistics networks and reclaim vulnerable communities from criminal control.
Security analysts have observed that the increasing pressure mounted by Operation FANSAN YAMMA is gradually reshaping the security situation in parts of Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina and other frontline states affected by rural terrorism and banditry.
Military authorities noted that continuous operations across these areas are intended to reduce the capacity of armed groups, restrict their movement and restore normal socio-economic activities in affected communities.
Residents urged to provide intelligence
Lieutenant Colonel Danja appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely information that can assist ongoing military operations.
He said local intelligence remains vital to tracking the movement of criminal elements, identifying hideouts and preventing future attacks.
According to him, the operational gains being recorded by troops are a reflection of the resilience, professionalism and determination of military personnel in the fight against terrorism and other forms of violent criminality in the region.
He assured citizens that security forces would remain committed to protecting lives and property while sustaining aggressive operations until criminal groups are fully neutralised and peace is restored across affected communities in the North-West.
