Troops of Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have intercepted a suspected arms and explosives courier and recovered 180 units of 20mm Super Power explosives during ongoing security operations in Zamfara State.
Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North West) Operation FANSAN YAMMA, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, 15 August 2026.
The suspect, identified as 57-year-old Sani Umar, was intercepted on Aug. 14 during routine snap checks conducted by troops of Sector 2.
A search of the suspect’s vehicle led to the recovery of the explosives, which were allegedly being transported from Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara to Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The explosives were reportedly intended for delivery to suspected terrorist elements operating in the area.
The suspect, his vehicle and the recovered explosives have been taken into custody for further investigation.
The interception came on the same day troops of Sector 2 recorded further successes during offensive clearance operations against terrorists in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara.
During the operation, troops engaged terrorists around Garin Kaso and neutralised two of them, while recovering two rifles, two magazines, nine rounds of ammunition and two motorcycles.
“Troops of Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (JTF NW OPFY) sustained the momentum of ongoing offensive operations by taking the fight to the terrorists, recording significant successes through the neutralization of terrorists, recovery of weapons and the interception of 180 explosive materials being conveyed to terrorist elements in Zamfara State,” the statement read.
“On 14 August 2026, troops of Sector 2 conducting an offensive clearance operation in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area made contact with terrorists around Garin Kaso and engaged them in a fierce firefight.
“Two terrorists were confirmed neutralized during the initial encounter, while troops recovered 2 rifles, 2 magazines, 9 rounds of ammunition and 2 motorcycles.
“As the operation progressed, another group of terrorists attempted to ambush the troops from concealed positions.
“The troops responded decisively and successfully fought through the ambush, inflicting further casualties on the terrorists and forcing the surviving elements to flee.
“Although the exact number of terrorist casualties from the subsequent encounter is yet to be confirmed, reports from the communities within the general area indicated that several terrorists with apparent gunshot wounds, as well as bodies of their neutralized colleagues, were evacuated by the fleeing elements following the encounter.
“This further indicates the significant pressure being brought to bear on terrorist groups as troops continue to take the fight to their enclaves.
“In another significant development on the same day, troops of Sector 2 conducting routine snap checks on vehicles intercepted a suspected arms and explosives courier, identified as 57-year-old Sani Umar.
“A search of the suspect’s vehicle led to the recovery of 180 units of 20mm Super Power explosives allegedly being transported from Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State for delivery to suspected terrorist elements operating in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
“The suspect, vehicle and recovered explosives are currently in custody for further investigation.
“The operations demonstrate the sustained offensive posture of Operation FANSAN YAMMA in simultaneously taking the fight to terrorist enclaves and disrupting the logistics networks that provide them with weapons, explosives and other resources required to perpetrate violence.
“The Theatre Command remains resolute in sustaining the momentum of ongoing operations and will continue to deny terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action across the North West.”
