Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have recorded another major operational success in the ongoing campaign against terrorism and banditry across the North-West, neutralizing two suspected terrorists, rescuing a kidnapped victim, arresting eight suspected collaborators and logistics facilitators, and recovering 110 rustled cattle during coordinated operations conducted between June 27 and 28, 2026.
The operations, carried out in parts of Kaduna and Zamfara states, form part of sustained military efforts to dismantle terrorist enclaves, disrupt criminal logistics networks, and restore security to communities affected by violent attacks and cattle rustling.
The developments were disclosed in a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, who said the troops continued to maintain operational pressure on terrorist and bandit groups through intelligence-driven missions and coordinated ground operations.
According to the statement, troops of Sector 1, working in conjunction with members of the Vigilante Group, encountered terrorists transporting kidnapped victims on motorcycles while conducting fighting patrols across Giwa and Kaduna North Local Government Areas of Kaduna State on June 27.
The military said the patrol team immediately engaged the terrorists in a fierce exchange of gunfire, forcing the criminals to abandon two motorcycles before fleeing into the surrounding forest to escape advancing troops.
The operation led to the successful rescue of one kidnapped victim who was found alive. However, the troops also recovered the body of another victim who, according to the military, had been killed by the terrorists before the arrival of security personnel.
In another operation later that day, troops swiftly responded to reports of a terrorist attack on Dariya Village in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Before security forces reached the community, the attackers had reportedly killed one civilian and injured three others, creating panic among residents.
The troops immediately launched a pursuit of the fleeing terrorists and intercepted them while they attempted to escape on motorcycles. A fierce gun battle ensued, during which two of the suspected terrorists were neutralized.
Following the operation, troops recovered one motorcycle, several rounds of ammunition, charms believed to have been used by the terrorists, and other personal belongings abandoned at the scene.
The military said the recoveries would aid ongoing investigations and provide further intelligence for subsequent operations against criminal elements operating within the region.
Meanwhile, troops of Sector 2 recorded another breakthrough in Zamfara State after conducting an intelligence-led operation at Magami in Gusau Local Government Area.
The operation resulted in the arrest of two suspects alleged to have been providing medical assistance and other forms of support to terrorist groups operating in the area. According to the military, the suspects are believed to be part of a network responsible for sustaining the activities of armed groups through logistical and medical support.
Similarly, troops of Sector 1 arrested six individuals during fighting patrols around Polewire Village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The arrests were made shortly after troops engaged fleeing terrorists in a firefight.
The six suspects were found under suspicious circumstances within the area and were subsequently taken into custody for further investigation to determine their level of involvement in terrorist activities.
In a separate operation carried out on June 28, troops, working alongside members of the Vigilante Group in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, successfully foiled a cattle rustling operation through a well-coordinated ambush.
According to the statement, the troops acted on credible intelligence regarding the movement of suspected cattle rustlers and established a snap ambush along the criminals’ suspected escape route at Ungwan Gora bush.
The sustained military pressure forced the rustlers to abandon the stolen livestock and flee into nearby forests without engaging the troops.
The operation led to the recovery of all 110 rustled cattle, which were subsequently identified and handed over to their rightful owners, bringing relief to affected livestock owners and the local community.
The military described the recovery as another significant success in ongoing efforts to curb cattle rustling, a crime that has continued to fuel insecurity and economic hardship in many rural communities across the North-West.
Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja reaffirmed the commitment of the Joint Task Force to sustaining aggressive offensive operations against terrorist and criminal groups across the theatre of operations.
He said Operation FANSAN YAMMA would continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, dismantle their support networks, and ensure the protection of lives and property throughout the region.
He also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting ongoing security operations by providing timely, accurate, and credible information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation remains critical to achieving lasting peace and security across the North-West. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.
