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Armed Forces of Nigeria troops operating under three separate North West and North Central joint task forces have recorded significant operational gains across six states; Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, and Bauchi rescuing abducted civilians, neutralising insurgents, dismantling terrorist hideouts, and arresting suspects linked to the murder of a traditional ruler.
The operations spanned the period 30 March
to 2 April 2026 and were conducted by troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA in the
North West, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD in the Niger–Kwara corridor, and
Operation ENDURING PEACE across Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna States.
Operation Fansan Yamma — North West
On 30 March 2026, troops deployed at FOB
Sabon Garin responded to an active attack on commuters along the Sabon
Gida–Anguwan Rogo Villages road in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of
Zamfara State, engaging the terrorists and rescuing five civilians. The swift
response prevented further casualties and forced the assailants to withdraw
under sustained pressure.
The following day, 31 March 2026, a
coordinated fighting patrol involving troops and local vigilantes covered
multiple communities across Mairairai, Dan Makarawa, Yar Maitaba, and Kaboro in
Kebbi and Zamfara States. Troops made contact with terrorists at Yar Maitaba
and Kaboro, neutralised one insurgent, destroyed five motorcycles, a key
enabler of bandit mobility and demolished the hideout of a notorious
terrorist kingpin. There were no casualties on the troops' side.
Also on 31 March 2026, troops from FOB
Hannutara, while on patrol in Gobirawan Mai Fulani and Kangon Gabas Villages in
Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, made contact with terrorists and
neutralised one insurgent, recovering seven mobile phones used to coordinate
criminal activities.
"Destroying
a terrorist kingpin's operational base sends a clear signal: no hideout, no
vehicle, and no network will be allowed to sustain banditry and terror in
Northern Nigeria."
In Katsina State, troops deployed at FOB
Dansabau responded swiftly to a terrorist attack on farmers at the outskirts of
Dansabau Village, Kankara Local Government Area. The troops forced the
terrorists to withdraw and recovered two pump-action rifles loaded with
cartridges.
On 1 April 2026, troops reacted to a
distress call from the Chairman of Wurno Local Government Area concerning the
abduction of 17 civilians at Chacho Village, Wurno Local Government Area of
Sokoto State, with two others sustaining gunshot wounds. Despite difficult terrain
and poor visibility that eventually halted the advance, troops successfully
rescued five of the abducted locals. In a separate incident in Katsina State,
troops rescued five injured kidnapped victims who had been abandoned by
terrorists along the Dandume–Maigora Road in Sabuwa Local Government Area. The
victims were evacuated to General Hospital Machika for immediate medical
attention.
Operation Savannah Shield — Kwara and Niger States
On 30 March 2026, troops deployed at FOB
Patigi received credible intelligence of a kidnapping in progress at Kusogi
Village, Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State. Reacting promptly, troops
mobilised to the location, successfully foiled the kidnapping, and arrested two
suspects who were found in possession of two single-barrel firearms. Both
suspects, along with the recovered weapons, are in troops' custody pending
further action. The operation has sustained a continuous cycle of cordon
operations, domination patrols, and intelligence-led raids across Kwara and Niger
States.
Operation Enduring Peace — Plateau, Bauchi, and
Kaduna States
In Plateau State, troops of Operation
ENDURING PEACE arrested two individuals; Alhaji Yahaya Bello Shanono, Chairman
of Miyetti Allah Mangu, and Salihu Mohammed, Secretary of Miyetti Allah Mangu in connection with the murder of Alhaji Bilyaminu Julde, the Ardo of Gindiri,
at Pyem Community in Mangu Local Government Area on 30 March 2026. Both
suspects are in custody and undergoing preliminary investigation. The arrest of
suspects so swiftly after the murder of a prominent traditional ruler has been
widely commended by community leaders in the area.
"No
one is above the law. The swift arrest of suspects in the killing of the Ardo
of Gindiri is proof that the Armed Forces will act decisively to uphold justice
and protect community leaders."
In a separate development in Plateau State,
troops responded to a kidnapping alert in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area,
where a woman was abducted while returning home with her father along the Dorowa–Babuje
Village axis. Moving with speed and precision, troops pursued the kidnappers,
who fled on sighting the soldiers, and recovered the victim unharmed. She was
subsequently debriefed and reunited with her family.
The multiple engagements across these
theatres underscore the AFN's commitment to defending every corner of the
Nigerian state, particularly rural and border communities most vulnerable to
bandit and terrorist exploitation.