Five soldiers and a police officer have been killed following a terrorist ambush on troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Joint Task Force North West, along the Bingi–Kekun Waje–Gusau Road in Zamfara State.

The incident occurred on Monday, while troops were returning from a series of successful offensive operations conducted between January 17 and 19 across Birnin Magaji and Anka areas of the state.

According to a statement on its offical X ( Formerly Twitter ) issued on Tuesday by the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Captain David Adewusi, the troops had earlier recorded significant successes against terrorist elements during coordinated raids, ambushes and fighting patrols.

“During the operations, three suspects identified as Isiya Kwakwatawa, Ibrahim Dan Musulu and Makau Lamba Goma were arrested, while four terrorists were neutralised and others fled into the forest,” the statement said.

Items recovered during the operations included one PKT machine gun, five AK-47 rifles, three AK-47 magazines, several rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, Baofeng radios and three motorcycles.

Captain Adewusi explained that while responding to a distress call on a terrorist reprisal attack, troops of OPFY Combat Team 1 were ambushed by terrorists at Gidan Wagni while en route to Kekun Waje.

“Despite the surprise nature of the attack, the troops responded gallantly, engaging the terrorists and preventing further harm to nearby communities,” he said.

He, however, confirmed that “five soldiers and one police officer paid the supreme sacrifice during the encounter.”

Following the ambush, the OPFY Mobile Strike Team, alongside troops of the 1 Brigade Quick Reaction Force from Forward Operating Bases in Kanoma and Kekun Waje, were swiftly deployed to the scene.

“The reinforcement, which was personally led by the Commander 1 Brigade, mounted a robust counter-ambush that forced the terrorists to withdraw,” the statement added.

According to credible intelligence cited by the military, a notorious bandit kingpin known as Janwuya and Alhaji Bello, the second-in-command to Kachalla Soja, sustained serious gunshot injuries during the encounter, while other fleeing terrorists were also wounded.

Troops, supported by local community vigilantes, subsequently launched a pursuit operation, as further exploitation and offensive actions continue across the area.

Operation FANSAN YAMMA assured residents that the situation is under control, reiterating its commitment to protecting lives and property and restoring lasting peace across the Joint Operations Area.

“The Theatre Commander has condoled with the Commander Sector 2 on the loss and commended the troops for their courage, sacrifice and professionalism,” Adewusi said.

He also urged members of the public to remain calm and continue to support ongoing security operations by providing timely and credible information to security agencies. (The PUNCH, excluding headline)

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