Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have intercepted three suspected gun runners and rescued six kidnapped victims during separate operations in Zamfara State.
The operations, led to the recovery of an AK-103-2 rifle, one magazine and 30 rounds of ammunition, according to the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja.
In the first operation, Danja said troops of Sector 2 intercepted a vehicle conveying three suspected gun runners along the Kaura Namoda-Shinkafi Road.
A thorough search of the vehicle led to the discovery of an AK-103-2 rifle, one magazine and 30 rounds of ammunition concealed inside a bag of millet.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the weapon and ammunition were allegedly being transported to Yar-Galadima in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The recovery is believed to have disrupted a suspected arms supply route, preventing the weapon from reaching its intended destination.
Danja said the arrest of the suspects could provide useful intelligence for ongoing efforts to identify individuals and networks involved in the movement of illegal arms across the region.
The three suspects and the recovered items are currently in military custody, while investigations continue to determine the source of the weapon and establish possible links to criminal and terrorist elements.
In a separate operation on the same day, troops responded to reports of a terrorist attack on motorists along the Anka-Gummi Road.
According to Danja, troops swiftly moved to the scene and engaged the terrorists, who were attempting to force their captives into a nearby forest.
The troops’ aggressive pursuit disrupted the attackers’ plans and compelled them to flee, abandoning all six kidnapped victims.
The rescued victims were immediately secured by the troops and provided necessary assistance following their ordeal.
Danja said three of the victims sustained minor injuries during the incident and were evacuated to a medical facility for treatment. The injured victims were reported to be in stable condition.
The successful rescue prevented the victims from being taken deeper into the forest, where rescue efforts are often more challenging, underscoring the importance of rapid military response to distress calls and terrorist activities along major routes.
The Joint Task Force said the operations demonstrated Operation FANSAN YAMMA’s sustained commitment to disrupting arms supply chains supporting terrorist networks and protecting communities and commuters across the North-West.
Lieutenant Colonel Danja said troops would continue intelligence-driven operations, aggressive patrols and rapid-response missions across the Joint Operations Area to dismantle terrorist networks and enhance security.
The task force also commended members of the public for their support and urged residents to remain vigilant by providing timely and credible information on suspicious persons, weapons and movements to security agencies.
According to the statement, continued public cooperation remains critical to ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and protect lives and property across the North-West region.
