Troops of the 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 operations in Zamfara State.
The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North West, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
According to the statement, troops of Sector 2 intercepted the suspect, identified as 57-year-old Sani Umar, during a routine snap check on August 14.
A search of his vehicle reportedly led to the discovery of the explosives, which were allegedly being transported from Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State to Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State for delivery to suspected terrorist elements.
Umar, his vehicle and the recovered explosives have been taken into custody for further investigation.
The interception came as troops of Sector 2 recorded additional successes during offensive clearance operations against terrorists in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara.
During the operation around Garin Kaso, troops engaged a group of terrorists and neutralised two of them. They also recovered two rifles, two magazines, nine rounds of ammunition and two motorcycles.
The military said another group of terrorists later attempted to ambush the troops from concealed positions but were repelled after the soldiers responded decisively.
Although the exact number of casualties from the subsequent encounter could not be immediately confirmed, the military said reports from nearby communities indicated that several terrorists sustained gunshot wounds, while some bodies of their deceased colleagues were evacuated by fleeing fighters.
The Joint Task Force said the operations demonstrate its continued offensive against terrorist enclaves while simultaneously disrupting the logistics networks supplying them with weapons, explosives and other resources.
“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,” the statement added.
