Troops Kill Nine Terrorists, Avert Attacks in Zamfara, Katsina
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have killed nine terrorists, including two key kingpins, and foiled coordinated attacks in Zamfara and Katsina states in a series of operations conducted between May 1 and 3, 2026.
The operations, executed by troops of Sector 2, targeted active terrorist routes and enclaves across the North-West, leading to the recovery of arms, motorcycles, and other items, while disrupting planned attacks on communities.
In Katsina State, troops of the Forward Operating Base Fudma, while on a fighting patrol along the Turare–Yantumaki Road in Dutsinma Local Government Area, engaged a group of terrorists in a gun duel. During the encounter, four terrorists were neutralised.
Recovered from the scene were two AK-47 rifles with magazines, ammunition, two motorcycles, seven mobile phones, and a cash sum of ₦153,000 suspected to be proceeds of criminal activity.
In a separate operation in Zamfara State, troops of the Forward Operating Base Bagega carried out a high-intensity mission in Anka Local Government Area, resulting in the neutralisation of five terrorists, including two notorious kingpins identified as Anaruwa and Gomina.
Military sources disclosed that Anaruwa was the younger brother of Kachalla Idi Aiki, a known terrorist commander operating within the axis.
The operation began on May 2, when troops engaged terrorists along the Bagega–Anka Road, forcing an initial group of four armed fighters to abandon their motorcycles and retreat. The terrorists later regrouped and launched a counterattack on the Bagega base.
Reinforced by additional combat teams and supported by precision airstrikes from the Air Component, troops repelled the assault and engaged a second wave of attackers mounted on motorcycles, killing three of them during the exchange.
Follow-up operations on May 3 led to the interception and neutralisation of two additional terrorists in the same area, further consolidating gains recorded during the mission.
However, the military confirmed that one soldier was killed in action during the operations.
Troops have since reinforced their positions around Bagega, maintaining dominance in the area to prevent further incursions by fleeing terrorists.
The military authorities said the operations underscore ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and restore security across the North-West, urging residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to security agencies.
By TimesNG