Troops kill 58 terrorists in 12 days in Katsina, Zamfara, 3 other states – DHQ
Troops of the Nigerian military have killed 58 terrorists in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and Kaduna states between February 1 and February 12, the Defence Headquarters said in a statement.
The troops also arrested 11 terrorists and rescued 16 kidnapped victims as the military intensified counterterrorism operations in the North West.
The Defence Headquarters said on Thursday that troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA’s coordinated attacks in the five states dislodged major terrorist hideouts and disrupted their networks.
“As part of ongoing non-kinetic efforts, a notorious terrorist leader, Kachalla Mudi, and two others surrendered on February 3 and 4, handing over one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), one AK-47 rifle, and a fabricated AK-47 rifle in Birnin Gwari and Igabi Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kaduna State.
“On February 4, troops conducting a fighting patrol in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State engaged terrorists in a fierce gun battle, neutralising five insurgents and successfully rescuing five kidnapped victims,” it stated.
The Defence Headquarters also said that various terrorists locations across Zamfara State were dislodged, with six terrorists killed in Gusau LGA, four AK-47 rifles, two dane guns, 62 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and two motorcycles recovered.
Similarly, in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara, troops killed eight terrorists and seized five AK-47 rifles, two fabricated rifles, a dane gun, 83 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two magazines, and a Baofeng radio.
The statement further disclosed that “between February 4 and 6, troops responded to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province activities in Sabon Birni and Talata Mafara in Zamfara, Maru and Gumi in Sokoto State, and Sabuwa, Kafur, and Baure in Katsina State.
“These operations resulted in the elimination of six terrorists and the rescue of four victims. Recovered items included four AK-47 rifles, a fabricated rifle, 173 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, three magazines, and three motorcycles.”
It further said between February 4 and 9, troops carried out fighting patrols across Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and Sokoto states, which “led to the elimination of 18 terrorists and the rescue of six kidnapped hostages.
“Additionally, security forces recovered 13 AK-47 rifles, three fabricated rifles, one GPMG, one RPG tube, 252 chain links of 12.7mm ammunition, 197 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 94 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, five magazines, three Baofeng radios, eight motorcycles, and 11 mobile phones.”
Similarly, in some intelligence-led operations between February 7 and 9, troops arrested a high-profile terrorist kingpin, Muhada Muhammadu, also known as Yellow, and four of his associates in Kauran Namoda, Shinkafi, and Bukkuyum Local Government Areas of Zamfara State, as well as Binji and Birnin Kebbi Local Government Areas in Sokoto and Kebbi States.
“Security forces also recovered a total sum of ₦2,451,820.00 from the suspects.”
“In total, Operation FANSAN YAMMA troops neutralized 58 terrorists, arrested 11 terrorists, and rescued 16 kidnapped hostages.
“Security forces also recovered 31 AK-47 rifles, nine fabricated rifles, two GPMGs, one RPG tube, 252 chain links of 12.7mm ammunition, 558 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 94 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 12 magazines, five Baofeng radios, 13 motorcycles, 11 mobile phones, and cash amounting to ₦2,451,820.00.”
The Defence Headquarters urged citizens to provide timely intelligence to aid ongoing operations.
