Troops of the Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA have intercepted three suspected gun runners and rescued six kidnapped victims in separate operations carried out in Zamfara State.
The operations, conducted on August 23, 2026, according to the military, led to the recovery of an AK-103-2 rifle, a magazine and 30 rounds of ammunition concealed in a bag of millet.
In the first operation, troops from Sector 2 intercepted a vehicle along the Kaura Namoda–Shinkafi Road following intelligence on suspected movement of arms.
A search of the vehicle uncovered the weapon and ammunition, which were allegedly being transported by the suspects to Yar-Galadima in Maru Local Government Area of the state.
The three suspects, alongside the recovered firearm, ammunition and other items, have been taken into military custody for further investigation.
In a separate operation on the same day, troops rescued six victims abducted by terrorists along the Anka–Gummi Road.
The military said the operation followed a distress report that terrorists had attacked motorists and were attempting to move their captives into a nearby forest.
According to a statement by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, troops responded swiftly, engaged the attackers and forced them to abandon the victims.
“An aggressive pursuit by the troops forced the assailants to flee and abandon all six victims. The rescued individuals were immediately secured by the troops,” Danja said.
He added that three of the rescued victims sustained minor injuries during the incident and were evacuated to a medical facility, where they are currently receiving treatment and are in stable condition.
The Joint Task Force said the operations demonstrate its continued efforts to disrupt arms supply networks and tackle criminal activities threatening communities and commuters across the North-West region.
“These successful operations underscore the unwavering commitment of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to severing the arms supply chains of terrorist networks and neutralising threats against local communities and commuters,” the statement said.
The military urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information on suspicious activities, movements and individuals to security agencies.
It added that public cooperation remained essential in ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and protect lives and property in the region.
