By Nkechi Eze
Troops of Operation Fasan Yamma (OPFY) have recorded significant successes in the ongoing fight against terrorism and banditry in the North West, intercepting ransom money running into millions of naira, rescuing abducted victims, recovering hundreds of rustled livestock, and neutralising terrorists in coordinated operations across Zamfara and Sokoto States.
In a statement signed by the Media Information Officer of the operation, Captain David Adewusi, the series of offensives were conducted between 8 and 10 September 2025 across Shinkafi, Gusau, Bukkuyum, and Tureta Local Government Areas. He disclosed that the operations yielded the interception of ransom payments totalling over ₦23 million, the recovery of more than 160 rustled livestock, and the neutralisation of terrorists in multiple engagements.
The operation began with coordinated offensives along the Shinkafi–Katuru–Galadi–Tubali axis, where troops of 1 Brigade Forward Operating Base, Shinkafi, working in conjunction with the Mobile Strike Team, stormed terrorist hideouts in Galadi and Tubali villages. Several of the criminals escaped with gunshot wounds as troops overran their camps. In follow-up clearance patrols, the troops mounted a stop-and-search operation at Katuru Bridge along the Shinkafi–Katuru–Isa Road. During the operation, three suspects were intercepted with ₦8.7 million in their possession. Later that day, two more suspects driving a black Toyota Corolla were caught with another ₦15 million. Preliminary investigations revealed that both sums were ransom payments collected for locals abducted along Nigeria’s borders with Niger Republic. The suspects and the exhibits have since been handed over to appropriate security agencies for further investigation.
In a parallel offensive, troops under Sector 2 of OPFY operating in Anka (Zamfara) and Tureta (Sokoto) ambushed terrorists transporting rustled livestock from Talata Mafara and Tureta LGAs to their enclaves in Bagega and Furagirke Forests. The criminals fled with gunshot wounds, abandoning eight kidnapped victims and 21 sheep in Anka. In Tureta, the troops successfully recovered 143 rustled sheep. The rescued victims have been reunited with their families, while the livestock were handed over to the Chairmen of Bakura and Tureta LGAs for further action.
In Gusau LGA, troops of 1 Brigade Forward Operating Base Lilo came under heavy terrorist fire while on patrol along the Lilo–Kofi Road. In the ensuing battle, the soldiers repelled the attack and neutralised six terrorists, forcing the rest to flee in disarray. However, the clash came at a cost, with three soldiers paying the supreme price and two others later succumbing to injuries sustained in the encounter.
Captain Adewusi noted that despite the losses, the troops remain resolute and determined to sustain the tempo of operations until terrorism and banditry are wiped out. He urged communities in the North West and North Central to continue supporting security forces with timely and credible intelligence, stressing that public cooperation is vital in restoring peace and stability to the region.
