Troops of 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army, operating under Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have disrupted a suspected terrorist logistics network in Zamfara State, arresting three suspected gun runners and recovering an AK-103-2 rifle and ammunition.
The operation, conducted on Sunday, August 23, 2026, along the Kauran Namoda–Shinkafi and Anka–Gummi axes of the state, also saw the troops rescue six victims during a separate terrorist attack.
According to an official statement signed by Captain Yusuf Mohammed, Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 1 Brigade Nigerian Army, Gusau, the troops, operating under the leadership of the Acting Commander, Colonel J Umaru, recorded the successes during separate operations.
The statement said the troops, while conducting a stop-and-search operation at about 2:05 p.m. along the Kauran Namoda–Shinkafi Road, intercepted a vehicle suspected of being involved in arms movement and arrested three occupants.
The suspects were identified as 20-year-old Lukman Sulaiman and 18-year-old Nafiu Isa, both reportedly from Yar-Galadima, Dan-Sadau District, as well as 60-year-old Adamu Lawali, the driver of the vehicle.
A search of the vehicle, a Volkswagen Golf Wagon with registration number BMJ-143AA, led to the recovery of one AK-103-2 rifle, one magazine and 30 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
The weapon and ammunition were reportedly concealed inside a bag of millet in an attempt to evade detection by security personnel.
Preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects were allegedly transporting the firearm to Yar-Galadima in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Further investigation revealed that the two younger suspects allegedly claimed that an Alhaji resident in Gusau, whom they identified as their father, provided money for the purchase of the millet used to conceal the weapon.
The suspects also allegedly disclosed that the firearm was intended for delivery to one Tijjani Goguwa of Yar-Galadima.
The three suspects, recovered weapon, ammunition and vehicle have been taken into custody for further investigation and necessary legal action.
The Army said efforts were ongoing to apprehend Goguwa, who was allegedly identified as the intended recipient of the firearm.
The successful interception represents a significant disruption of the logistics chain through which firearms and ammunition could potentially reach terrorist and criminal elements operating across the region.
In a separate operation later the same day, troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Anka also thwarted a terrorist attack and rescued six victims along the Anka–Gummi Main Supply Route.
The troops detected the attack at about 2:30 p.m. through surveillance cameras at Gadan Manya, prompting an immediate response to the scene.
The attackers were reportedly attempting to force occupants of a vehicle into the bush when troops arrived and engaged them.
The swift intervention disrupted the terrorists’ operation, forcing them to abandon all six victims and flee the area.
The rescued victims were subsequently evacuated to General Hospital Anka for medical attention, with three of them sustaining minor bodily injuries.
The three injured victims were said to be in stable condition and receiving treatment at the hospital.
Troops also made efforts to recover the vehicle involved in the incident.
The Army said the operations demonstrated the continued commitment of 1 Brigade troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA to dismantling terrorist logistics networks, denying criminal elements freedom of movement and protecting civilians along major routes and vulnerable communities.
The Brigade added that troops had sustained robust patrols and surveillance operations across the general area to further dominate the terrain and prevent terrorists and other criminal elements from establishing freedom of action.
The operations underscore the growing role of intelligence-led stop-and-search operations, surveillance and rapid military intervention in disrupting the movement of arms and preventing attacks on civilians across Zamfara State.
