By ZAKAA LAZARUS
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY) recorded major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism and banditry in recent security operations conducted in parts of Zamfara and Sokoto States.
The troops intercepted terrorist logistics comprising ransom money of over twenty-three million naira, recovered over one hundred and sixty rustled livestock, and neutralized terrorists during series of coordinated and successive operations across Shinkafi, Gusau, Bukkuyum and Tureta Local Government Areas (LGA) of Zamfara and Sokoto States respectively from 8 to 10 September 2025.
The operation commenced with coordinated offensives along the Shinkafi – Katuru – Galadi -Tubali axis, where troops of 1 Brigade Forward Operating Base Shinkafi and Mobile Strike Team OPFY cleared terrorists’ hideouts within the forested areas of Galadi and Tubali villages with many of the bandits escaping with gunshot wounds.
Similarly, the same troops conducted stop-and-search operations at Katuru Bridge along Shinkafi – Katuru – Isa Road where three suspects were initially intercepted with the sum of Eight Million Seven Hundred Thousand Naira and later the same day, the troops intercepted two more suspects in a black Toyota Corolla with the sum of Fifteen Million Naira. Preliminary investigations revealed that the monies were ransoms for locals abducted along Nigeria borders with Niger Republic by terrorists hibernating within Shinkafi axis. Meanwhile, the exhibits and suspects have been handed over to appropriate agencies for further investigation.
In a parallel effort, troops of OPFY operating in Anka and Tureta LGA of Zamfara and Sokoto states under Sector 2 OPFY ambushed terrorists moving livestock rustled from Talata Mafara and Tureta LGA to their enclaves at Bagega Forest and Furagirke Forest respectively.
The criminals fled with gunshot wounds, abandoning 8 kidnapped victims and 21 sheep in the Anka axis while 143 rustled sheep were recovered by the troops operating in the Tureta axis.
The rescued persons were reunited with their families while the recovered livestock were handed over to the Local Government Chairmen of Bakura and Tureta respectively for further action.
In another development, troops of 1 Brigade Forward Operating Base Lilo in Gusau LGA came under heavy terrorist fire while on patrol around Lilo – Kofi Road in the same LGA. Following the fierce battle, the troops neutralized six terrorists forcing the rest to flee in disarray. Sadly, three soldiers paid the supreme price, while two others who were critically wounded later succumbed to their injuries.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA has reaffirmed its resolve to sustain relentless operations until terrorism and banditry are eradicated.
The public is urged to support the security forces by providing timely and credible information to restore peace across the North West and parts of the North Central
