Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 1 Brigade have arrested three suspected gun runners and rescued six people during separate operations in Zamfara State.
The operations were carried out along the Kauran Namoda–Shinkafi and Anka–Gummi axes under the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
In the first incident, troops conducting a stop-and-search operation along the Kauran Namoda–Shinkafi Road at about 2:05 p.m. on Sunday intercepted a vehicle and arrested three suspects.
The suspects were identified as 20-year-old Lukman Sulaiman, 18-year-old Nafiu Isa, and 60-year-old Adamu Lawali, who was reportedly driving the vehicle.
According to the Army, the troops recovered an AK-103-2 rifle, a magazine and 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The weapon and ammunition were allegedly concealed inside a bag of millet being transported in a Volkswagen Golf Wagon with registration number BMJ-143AA.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were allegedly taking the firearm to Yar-Galadima in Maru Local Government Area.
The Army said the two younger suspects claimed that an Alhaji based in Gusau, whom they identified as their father, provided money for the purchase of the millet used to conceal the weapon.
They also allegedly told investigators that the firearm was meant to be delivered to a man identified as Tijjani Goguwa of Yar-Galadima.
The Army said the suspects, weapon, ammunition and vehicle had been taken into custody for further investigation, while efforts were underway to arrest Goguwa.
In a separate operation later the same day, troops at the Forward Operating Base, Anka, detected an attack on a vehicle at Gadan Manya along the Anka–Gummi Main Supply Route.
The Army said surveillance cameras alerted the troops to the incident at about 2:30 p.m., prompting an immediate response.
The attackers were reportedly attempting to force the occupants of the vehicle into the bush when the troops arrived.
According to the Army, the intervention forced the suspected terrorists to abandon the six victims and flee.
The victims were rescued and taken to the General Hospital, Anka, for medical attention. Three of them sustained minor injuries and were said to be in stable condition.
The troops also made efforts to recover the vehicle involved in the incident.
The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Brigade Nigerian Army, Captain Yusuf Mohammed, said the operations demonstrated the military’s continued efforts to disrupt terrorist activities and protect civilians.
He said, “These successes underscore the commitment of troops of 1 Brigade operating under Operation FANSAN YAMMA to disrupting terrorist logistics networks, denying criminal elements freedom of action and protecting innocent civilians along major routes and vulnerable communities.”
Mohammed added that troops had continued with patrols and surveillance operations across the area to strengthen security and prevent terrorists from establishing operational freedom.
