Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have intercepted three disassembled canoes reportedly procured by a notorious terrorist leader, Shehu Bagewaye, to facilitate the movement of his fighters across riverine areas of Zamfara State.
The operation, conducted on August 23, 2026, followed credible intelligence that Bagewaye had initiated arrangements to procure the canoes from Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State for onward transportation to Zamfara.
According to a statement by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, intelligence indicated that the canoes were intended to help the terrorists overcome river obstacles restricting their movement and enhance their mobility for criminal activities against vulnerable communities.
Acting on the intelligence, troops of Sector 2 conducted a covert operation along identified areas of interest and intercepted the three disassembled canoes while they were being transported to their intended destination.
The individuals conveying the items reportedly abandoned the canoes and fled after sighting the troops.
The recovered canoes have been taken into military custody, while efforts are ongoing to track down those linked to the attempted movement.
The Joint Task Force said the interception demonstrated the growing effectiveness of intelligence-led operations by Operation FANSAN YAMMA in disrupting terrorist logistics and denying criminal elements resources needed to expand their operational reach.
The military said it remained committed to identifying and dismantling terrorist networks, disrupting their logistics and restricting their freedom of movement before they could launch attacks on communities.
The Joint Task Force also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remained critical to disrupting terrorist activities and protecting lives and property across the Joint Operations Area.
