Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
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, according to the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Brigade Nigerian Army, Gusau, Yusuf Mohammed.
The troops, acting under the command of Acting Brigade Commander, Col. J. Umaru, intercepted three suspected gun runners at about 2:05pm 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.
The soldiers recovered an 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 indicated that the suspects were allegedly transporting the weapon to Yar-Galadima in Maru Local Government Area.
Further investigation revealed that the two younger suspects allegedly told investigators that an Alhaji resident in Gusau, whom they identified as their father, provided money for the purchase of the millet used to conceal the weapon.
They also reportedly claimed that the firearm was meant to be delivered to one Tijjani Goguwa of Yar-Galadima.
The three suspects, weapon, ammunition and vehicle have been taken into custody for further investigation and legal action, while efforts are ongoing to arrest Goguwa, who is alleged to be the intended recipient of the firearm.
In a separate operation later the same day, troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Anka detected an attack on a vehicle by suspected terrorists at Gadan Manya along the Anka–Gummi Main Supply Route through surveillance cameras.
The troops immediately mobilised to the location and engaged the attackers as they attempted to force the occupants of the vehicle into the bush.
Their swift intervention forced the terrorists 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 them sustained minor injuries and were said to be in stable condition while receiving treatment.
The troops also made efforts to recover the vehicle involved in the incident.
The Army said the operations demonstrated the commitment of troops of 1 Brigade under Operation FANSAN YAMMA to disrupting terrorist logistics networks, denying criminal elements freedom of action and protecting civilians along major routes and vulnerable communities.
It added that troops had sustained patrols and surveillance operations across the area to dominate the terrain and prevent terrorists from establishing freedom of action.
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