By Attah Ede
Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have intercepted three suspected gun runners and rescued six kidnap victims in separate operations in Zamfara State.
According to military authorities, the operations, which were conducted on Sunday, August 23, 2026, also led to the recovery of an AK-103-2 rifle, a magazine and 30 rounds of ammunition.
A statement issued on Monday by the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, and made available to newsmen, indicated that the troops’ aggressive response forced the attackers to flee, abandoning all six victims.
The statement said that in the first operation, troops of Sector 2 intercepted a vehicle conveying three suspected gun runners along the Kaura Namoda–Shinkafi Road.
Furthermore, a search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a rifle, magazine and ammunition concealed in a bag of millet, while the suspects, alongside the recovered weapon, ammunition and other items, are currently in military custody for further investigation.
“In a separate operation, troops responded to a distress call following an attack on motorists along the Anka–Gummi Road.
“The terrorists were reportedly attempting to force their captives into a nearby forest when troops arrived and engaged them.
“The rescued victims were immediately secured by the troops, while three of them who sustained minor injuries were evacuated to a medical facility for treatment and are in stable condition.”
Danja said the operations demonstrated the commitment of the joint task force to disrupting the arms supply chains of terrorist groups and protecting communities and road users across the North-West.
He said the military would sustain intelligence-driven operations, aggressive patrols and rapid response efforts across its Joint Operations Area.
The Media Information Officer also commended members of the public for their support and urged residents to provide security agencies with timely and credible information on suspicious persons, weapons and movements.
He said public cooperation remains critical to efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and safeguard lives and property in the region.
