Troops of 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army, operating under Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have arrested three suspected gun runners and rescued six victims during separate operations in Zamfara State.
The operations were conducted along the Kauran Namoda–Shinkafi and Anka–Gummi axes of the state on August 23, 2026.
In the first operation, troops conducting a stop-and-search operation at about 2:05pm along the Kauran Namoda–Shinkafi Road intercepted a Golf Wagon with registration number BMJ-143AA and arrested three occupants suspected of transporting firearms.
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.
Troops recovered one AK-103-2 rifle, one magazine and 30 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition concealed inside a bag of millet in the vehicle.
Preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects were allegedly transporting the firearm to Yar-Galadima in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
According to the Army, the two younger suspects 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.
They further alleged that the firearm was meant to be delivered to one Tijjani Goguwa of Yar-Galadima.
The suspects, weapon, ammunition and vehicle have been taken into custody for further investigation and legal action, while efforts are ongoing to arrest Goguwa, who is alleged to be the intended recipient of the firearm.
In a separate operation at about 2:30pm the same day, troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Anka detected an attack on a vehicle by suspected terrorists at Gadan Manya along the Anka–Gummi Main Supply Route through surveillance cameras.
The troops immediately mobilised to the location and engaged the attackers as they attempted to force the occupants of the vehicle into the bush.
The swift intervention reportedly disrupted the operation, forcing the terrorists to abandon all six victims and flee the area.
The victims were subsequently rescued and evacuated to General Hospital Anka for medical attention.
The Army said three of the rescued victims sustained minor injuries and were receiving treatment in stable condition. Efforts were also made to recover the vehicle involved in the incident.
The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Brigade Nigerian Army, Gusau, Captain Yusuf Mohammed, said the operations demonstrated the commitment of troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA to disrupting terrorist logistics networks, denying criminal elements freedom of action and protecting civilians along major routes and vulnerable communities.
The Army said troops had sustained patrols and surveillance operations across the area to dominate the terrain and prevent terrorists from establishing freedom of movement.
