5 soldiers, 1 police officer killed in Zamfara ambush

Five soldiers and one police officer have been killed in an ambush on security forces in Zamfara State. The incident occurred on Monday at Gidan Wagni as troops of Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY) Combat Team 1 were returning from a series of operations and heading towards Kekun Waje in Bungudu Local Government Area of the […]

Five soldiers and one police officer have been killed in an ambush on security forces in Zamfara State.

The incident occurred on Monday at Gidan Wagni as troops of Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY) Combat Team 1 were returning from a series of operations and heading towards Kekun Waje in Bungudu Local Government Area of the state.

Confirming the incident in a statement, the Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Captain David Adewusi, said the troops came under attack while responding to a distress call following a reprisal attack by terrorists in the area.

Adewusi said, “The ambush followed a series of successful offensive operations conducted from  17 to 19 January 2026, when troops of Sector 2 OPFY, in conjunction with the OPFY Mobile Strike Team and DIA Tactical Support Team, carried out coordinated raids, ambushes, and fighting patrols across Birnin Magaji and Anka areas of Zamfara State. During these operations, three suspects—Isiya Kwakwatawa, Ibrahim Dan Musulu, and Makau Lamba Goma—were arrested, while four  terrorists were neutralised, and others fled into the forest. Items recovered included 1 PKT machine gun, 5 AK-47 rifles, 3 AK-47 magazines, and other items are rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, Baofeng radios, and 3 motorcycles.

“While returning from these operations and responding to a distress call on a terrorist reprisal attack, troops of OPFY  Combat Team 1 came under attack by terrorists at Gidan Wagni while en route to Kekun Waje. Despite the surprise of the ambush, the troops responded gallantly, engaging the terrorists  and preventing further harm to nearby communities. Regrettably, five soldiers and one police officer  paid the supreme sacrifice during the encounter.

“Upon receipt of the distress report, the OPFY Mobile Strike Team, in conjunction with troops of 1 Brigade Quick Reaction Force from Forward Operating Bases Kanoma and Kekun Waje, swiftly mobilised to the scene. The reinforcement was personally led by the Commander 1 Brigade, underscoring the high level of coordination and commitment within the operation.

“The combined force mounted a robust counter-ambush which forced the terrorists to withdraw, with credible intelligence indicating that notorious bandit kingpin Janwuya and Alhaji Bello, the 2iC to Kachalla Soja, were seriously injured during the encounter, and some of the fleeing elements sustained gunshot injuries. Troops, supported by community vigilantes, subsequently conducted pursuit while further exploitation and offensive operations continue.”