The Nigerian military has intensified its counterterrorism campaign in the North West, eliminating 58 terrorists, apprehending 11 others, and rescuing 16 kidnapped victims in a series of offensives carried out between February 1 and 12, 2025.
According to The PUNCH, the Defence Headquarters reported that troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA conducted coordinated strikes across Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi states, targeting major insurgent hideouts and disrupting terrorist networks.
“As part of ongoing efforts to restore peace, a notorious terrorist leader, Kachalla Mudi, and two of his associates surrendered on February 3 and 4. They handed over one General Purpose Machine Gun , an AK-47 rifle, and a fabricated AK-47 rifle in Birnin Gwari and Igabi Local Government Areas of Kaduna State,” the Defence Headquarters stated.
On February 4, troops on a fighting patrol in Malumfashi, Katsina State, engaged terrorists in a fierce gunfight, neutralizing five insurgents and rescuing five kidnapped victims.
Similarly, in Zamfara State, security forces launched operations in Gusau and Maradun Local Government Areas, killing 14 terrorists and seizing weapons, including multiple AK-47 rifles, dane guns, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and motorcycles.
“In various locations across Zamfara State, our troops encountered and eliminated six terrorists in Gusau and recovered four AK-47 rifles, two dane guns, and 62 rounds of ammunition,” the military disclosed.
In Maradun, eight terrorists were killed, and troops recovered five AK-47 rifles, a dane gun, and communication equipment used by the insurgents.
Between February 4 and 6, joint operations targeted Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province operatives in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Katsina states, leading to the elimination of six terrorists and the rescue of four victims.
Security forces also carried out intelligence-led operations between February 7 and 9, leading to the arrest of a high-profile terrorist kingpin, Muhada Muhammadu, also known as Yellow, along with four of his associates. The arrests took place in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi states.
“In the course of these operations, security forces recovered a total sum of ₦2,451,820.00 from the suspects,” the Defence Headquarters stated.
Summarizing the successes of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, the military highlighted that, in total, 58 terrorists were killed, 11 arrested, and 16 hostages rescued.
Additionally, troops recovered 31 AK-47 rifles, nine fabricated rifles, two GPMGs, one RPG tube, over 800 rounds of ammunition, 12 magazines, five Baofeng radios, 13 motorcycles, 11 mobile phones, and cash exceeding ₦2.4 million.
The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed its commitment to restoring security in the region and urged citizens to provide timely intelligence to aid ongoing operations.
“We remain steadfast in our mission to eradicate terrorism and restore peace in the North West. The cooperation of the public is crucial in achieving this goal,” the military statement read.
