Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA arrested a 57-year-old suspected courier while separately killing two suspected terrorists during an operation

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have intercepted 180 units of 20mm Super Power explosives and arrested a suspected courier during a security operation in Zamfara State.

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The interception was carried out on Friday by troops of Sector 2 during routine snap checks on vehicles, according to the Nigerian Army.

The suspect, identified as 57-year-old Sani Umar, was allegedly transporting the explosives from Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara to suspected terrorist elements operating in Jibia Local Government Area of neighbouring Katsina State.

Lt Col Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North West, said a search of Umar’s vehicle led to the discovery of the explosives.

“The suspect, vehicle and recovered explosives are currently in custody for further investigation,” the military said in a statement published on Saturday.

The Zamfara explosives interception occurred as troops were simultaneously conducting offensive operations against suspected terrorists in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area.

During one of the encounters, troops engaged suspected terrorists around Garin Kaso in a fierce exchange of fire.

The Army said two suspected terrorists were killed during the confrontation, while troops recovered two rifles, two magazines, nine rounds of ammunition and two motorcycles.

A second group of terrorists reportedly attempted to ambush the troops from concealed positions but were repelled by the security forces.

The military said further casualties were inflicted on the group, forcing surviving members to withdraw from the area.

The number of casualties from the second encounter could not immediately be independently confirmed.

However, the Army said reports from local communities indicated that fleeing terrorists evacuated several wounded colleagues as well as the bodies of some members killed during the fighting.

The operation highlights the military’s continued focus on disrupting not only terrorist camps but also the supply chains that provide weapons and explosives to armed groups operating across the North-West.

Zamfara and neighbouring states have faced years of insecurity involving armed bandit groups and other criminal networks, with security agencies increasingly targeting the movement of weapons, ammunition and other logistical supplies.

The interception of the explosives therefore represents a potentially significant disruption to the logistics network supporting terrorist activity in the region.

The Theatre Command said Operation FANSAN YAMMA would maintain its offensive operations against terrorist groups and other criminal elements in the North-West.

It said the objective remained to disrupt terrorist activities and “deny terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action across the North West.”

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The suspect remains in military custody as investigations continue into the source of the explosives, their intended recipients and the wider network allegedly involved in their transportation.