Troops of 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army, operating under Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have arrested three suspected gun runners and rescued six victims during separate operations in Zamfara State.
The operations were conducted along the Kauran Namoda–Shinkafi and Anka–Gummi axes of the state.
In a statement on Monday, the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Brigade Nigerian Army, Captain Yusuf Mohammed, said the troops arrested the suspected gun runners at about 2:05 p.m. on August 23, 2026, during a stop-and-search operation along the Kauran Namoda–Shinkafi Road.
The suspects were identified as 20-year-old Lukman Sulaiman and 18-year-old Nafiu Isa, both reportedly from Yar-Galadima, Dan-Sadau District, as well as 60-year-old Adamu Lawali, the driver of the vehicle.
“During the operation, troops recovered one AK-103-2 rifle, one magazine and 30 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, concealed inside a bag of millet in a Golf Wagon with registration number BMJ-143AA. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were allegedly transporting the weapon to Yar-Galadima in Maru Local Government Area.
“Further investigation indicated that the two younger suspects claimed an Alhaji resident in Gusau, whom they identified as their father, had provided money for the purchase of the millet used to conceal the weapon. They further alleged that the firearm was intended for delivery to one Tijjani Goguwa of Yar-Galadima.
“The suspects, weapon, ammunition and vehicle have been taken into custody for further investigation and necessary legal action. Efforts are also ongoing to arrest Tijani Goguwa alleged to be the owner of the weapon.
“In a separate but related operational success, at about 1430 hours the same day, troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Anka detected, through surveillance cameras, an attack on a vehicle by suspected terrorists at Gadan Manya along the Anka–Gummi Main Supply Route. The troops immediately mobilized to the location and made contact with the attackers as they attempted to force the occupants of the vehicle into the bush.
“The swift intervention by the troops disrupted the terrorists operation, compelling them to abandon all six victims and flee the area. The victims were subsequently rescued and evacuated to General Hospital Anka for medical attention.
“Three of the rescued persons sustained minor bodily injuries and are currently receiving treatment in stable condition. Efforts were also made to recover the vehicle.
“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.
“Troops have sustained robust patrols and surveillance operations across the general area to further dominate the terrain and prevent terrorists from establishing freedom of action,” parts of the statement read.
