Troops Neutralise Scores of Terrorists, Recover Arms in Zamfara
Troops of the 1 Brigade, Sector 2 Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have neutralised several terrorists, including notorious terrorist kingpin Sani Rusu, and recovered a significant cache of arms in Zamfara State.
A statement from the Coordinator of the Joint Media Coordination Center, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, confirmed the successes on Monday. The statement detailed the operations carried out by the troops in response to intelligence on terrorist activities.
On Saturday, January 4, 2025, the troops conducted a fighting patrol to Bamamu Village in Tsafe Local Government Area, where they encountered and neutralised the terrorist kingpin Sani Rusu, destroyed terrorist enclaves, and recovered arms.
Later that day, troops launched an ambush operation in Kwanar Jollof in Shinkafi Local Government Area, where they neutralised several terrorists. Some of the terrorists sustained fatal injuries, and the troops recovered one AK47 rifle, one G3 rifle, eight rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, four rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, three magazines, and three motorcycles.
In a separate operation, the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma conducted airstrikes on December 30, 2024, targeting terrorists meeting between Fakai and Kware in Shinkafi Local Government Area. The airstrikes followed intelligence indicating that terrorist leader Bello Turji was convening a meeting in the area. Further airstrikes were conducted on January 2, 2025, targeting Ibrahim Chumo’s camp in Sububu Forest and continued on January 5, 2025, against Bello Turji’s camp in Chida area. These operations resulted in significant casualties for the terrorists, with several injured and their hideouts destroyed.
The statement reaffirmed Operation Fansan Yamma’s commitment to neutralising terrorist threats across the North-West and maintaining peace and security in the region. It also urged continued cooperation from the local communities to support the ongoing efforts in combatting terrorism.