Troops Arrest Gunrunners, Rescue Kidnapped Victims in Zamfara

On August 23, 2026, troops from the Joint Task Force North-West, under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, arrested three suspected gunrunners and rescued six kidnapped victims in separate operations in Zamfara State. Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, the Media Information Officer, reported that troops intercepted a vehicle carrying the suspects along the Kaura Namoda–Shinkafi Road, discovering an AK-103-2 rifle, one magazine, and 30 rounds of ammunition concealed in a bag of millet.

Preliminary investigations suggested the weapons were intended for Yar-Galadima in Maru Local Government Area. In a separate operation, troops responded to a distress call regarding an attack on motorists along the Anka–Gummi Road, engaging the terrorists and forcing them to flee, which led to the rescue of six victims.

Three of the rescued individuals sustained minor injuries and were evacuated to a medical facility. The Joint Task Force emphasized its commitment to disrupting arms supply to terrorist groups and urged public cooperation in providing timely information on suspicious activities.