Troops Intercept Three Suspected Gun Runners, Rescue Six Kidnap Victims in Zamfara
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, conducted on August 23, 2026, also 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, troops of Sector 2 intercepted a vehicle carrying three suspected gun runners along the Kaura Namoda–Shinkafi Road.
A search of the vehicle uncovered an AK-103-2 rifle, a magazine and 30 rounds of ammunition concealed inside a bag of millet. Preliminary investigations indicated that the weapons were allegedly being transported to Yar-Galadima in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The three suspects and the recovered items have been taken into military custody for further investigation.
Six Kidnap Victims Rescued
In a separate operation on the same day, troops responded to reports of a terrorist attack targeting motorists along the Anka–Gummi Road.
The troops arrived as the attackers were reportedly attempting to force their captives into the surrounding forest. An aggressive pursuit by the troops compelled the terrorists to flee, abandoning all six kidnapped victims.
The victims were immediately secured and evacuated from the area. Three of them, who sustained minor injuries during the ordeal, were taken to a medical facility for treatment and were reported to be in stable condition.
The Joint Task Force said the operations demonstrate Operation FANSAN YAMMA’s continued efforts to disrupt the supply of weapons to terrorist networks while protecting communities and road users across the North-West.
Lieutenant Colonel Danja said troops would sustain intelligence-driven operations, aggressive patrols and rapid-response missions across the Joint Operations Area with the aim of dismantling terrorist networks and strengthening security.
He also commended members of the public for their continued support and urged residents to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with timely and credible information about suspicious individuals, weapons and movements.
The Joint Task Force stressed that sustained cooperation between security forces and communities remains essential to disrupting terrorist networks, protecting lives and property, and restoring lasting peace across the North-West.
Troops Intercept Three Suspected Gun Runners, Rescue Six Kidnap Victims in Zamfara