Troops of Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY) conducting routine snap checks on vehicles, have intercepted a suspected 57-year-old arms and explosives courier, identified as Sani Umar, recovering 180 units of 20mm Super Power explosives from him in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The explosives were allegedly being transported to suspected terrorist elements in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Media Information Officer, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt.-Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed in a statement that the suspect, vehicle and recovered explosives are currently in custody for further investigation.

Danja said that the troops also conducted an offensive clearance operation on Friday in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area, engaged terrorists around Garin Kaso in a fierce firefight, resulting in neutralisation of two terrorists, and recovered two rifles, two magazines, nine rounds of ammunition and two motorcycles.

“As the operation progressed, another group of terrorists attempted to ambush the troops from concealed positions. The troops responded decisively and successfully fought through the ambush, inflicting further casualties on the terrorists and forcing the surviving elements to flee.”

Danja explained that though the exact number of terrorist casualties from the encounter is yet to be confirmed, reports from communities within the general area indicated that several terrorists fled with gunshot wounds, while bodies of their neutralised colleagues, were evacuated by the fleeing elements.

According to him, this further indicates the significant pressure being brought to bear on terrorist groups as troops continue to take the fight to their enclaves.

He said the operations demonstrated the sustained offensive posture of Operation Fansan Yamma in taking the fight to terrorist enclaves and disrupting the logistics networks that provide them with weapons, explosives and other resources required to perpetrate violence.

Danja reaffirmed the Theatre Command in sustaining the momentum of ongoing operations to deny terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action across the North West.