Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, OPFY, Joint Task Force North West, repelled a terrorist ambush along the Bingi–Kekun Waje–Gusau Road in Zamfara State on 19 January 2026.
However, five soldiers and one police officer lost their lives in the encounter.
A statement released on Tuesday by Captain David Adewusi, Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, said the ambush followed a series of coordinated offensive operations by Sector 2 OPFY, the OPFY Mobile Strike Team, and DIA Tactical Support Team from 17 to 19 January, targeting terrorist hideouts in Birnin Magaji and Anka areas.
During the operations, three suspects – Isiya Kwakwatawa, Ibrahim Dan Musulu, and Makau Lamba Goma – were arrested, while four terrorists were neutralised.
Security forces also recovered one PKT machine gun, five AK-47 rifles with magazines, rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, Baofeng radios, and three motorcycles.
While responding to a distress call on a suspected terrorist reprisal attack at Gidan Wagni, troops of OPFY Combat Team 1 came under fire.
The statement noted that despite the ambush, soldiers engaged the terrorists and prevented further harm to nearby communities.
Reinforcements from the OPFY Mobile Strike Team and the 1 Brigade Quick Reaction Force, led by the Commander of 1 Brigade from Forward Operating Bases Kanoma and Kekun Waje, swiftly moved to the scene.
The combined forces mounted a counter-ambush, forcing the terrorists to withdraw. Intelligence indicates that notorious bandit kingpin Janwuya and his deputy, Alhaji Bello (2iC to Kachalla Soja), were seriously injured, while other fleeing elements sustained gunshot wounds.
Pursuit operations, supported by community vigilantes, are ongoing.
The Theatre Commander condoled with the Sector 2 commander over the loss of personnel and commended the troops for their courage, sacrifice, and professionalism.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA reassured the public that the situation is under control and urged citizens to support security efforts by providing timely and credible information.
