Troops of the Nigerian military have killed three suspected terrorists and recovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and a motorcycle during an encounter with armed men in Kaduna State.
The operation, conducted by troops of the Joint Task Force North-West under Operation Fansan Yamma, also led to the recovery of 28 cows and 13 sheep suspected to have been stolen by cattle rustlers in Sokoto State.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Media Information Officer of the task force, Captain Tamuno Sinivie, the encounter occurred on October 29 when troops of Sector 1 came under attack while conducting a fighting patrol along Shadow–Old Kuyello Road in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The military said the soldiers responded with superior firepower, repelling the attackers before pursuing them into the surrounding area, where three terrorists were neutralised.
Items recovered from the scene included an AK-47 rifle, one magazine, three rounds of ammunition and a motorcycle. The statement added that no casualty was recorded among the troops during the confrontation.
In a separate operation on October 30, troops conducting a routine patrol in Shanono town, Shanono Local Government Area of Sokoto State, intercepted 41 livestock allegedly abandoned by suspected cattle rustlers.
The animals comprised 28 cows and 13 sheep. The suspected rustlers reportedly fled after sighting the advancing soldiers, abandoning the livestock.
The task force said arrangements were underway to hand over the recovered animals to the appropriate authorities.
It reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining military operations against terrorists and other criminal groups across the North-West, while urging residents to provide security agencies with credible and timely information to support ongoing efforts to restore peace in the region.
