Troops intercept machine guns, AK-47 rifles ‘meant for terrorists’ in Zamfara

Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have seized a cache of firearms and ammunition in Kaura Namoda LGA of Zamfara State, The Cable reports. According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, operatives conducted the raid in collaboration with Department of State Services (DSS) personnel, between January 26 and 27. Makama […]

Troops intercept machine guns, AK-47 rifles ‘meant for terrorists’ in Zamfara

military

Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have seized a cache of firearms and ammunition in Kaura Namoda LGA of Zamfara State, The Cable reports.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, operatives conducted the raid in collaboration with Department of State Services (DSS) personnel, between January 26 and 27.

Makama quoted a military source as saying that the operation was based on intelligence regarding suspected arms dealers from Niger Republic.

“The troops launched a covert operation to track the suspects, leading to a pursuit along the Kaura Namoda-Zurmi road,” Makama said.

“The suspects attempted to escape by diverting their vehicle into the bush but were forced to abandon it after being engaged by troops.

“A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of the following items: Two PKT machine guns, nine AK-47 rifles, 13 magazines, 171 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and nine rounds of PKT ammunition.”

The publication said the suspects managed to escape, adding that security forces are intensifying efforts to track and apprehend them.

Also, the Nigerian Army says troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested a Boko Haram suspect in Taraba.

In a statement on Tuesday, Olubodunde Oni, assistant public relations officer of Brigade 6, said the suspect was arrested on January 26 following credible intelligence.

He said the suspect, identified as Gambo Grema aka Gamboi, was tracked down and arrested in Mai-Hula town, Bali LGA of the state.

“During preliminary investigations, the suspect confessed to being part of a syndicate deployed by Boko Haram to Taraba,” the statement reads.

“He confessed that their mission was to engage in kidnapping for ransom as a means of financing their terrorist operations and to establish a new cell within the state.

“The suspect further revealed that the syndicate also harboured members of the Islamic State In West Africa Province (ISWAP), who were deployed from the Timbuktu Triangle to carry out other criminal activities.”

Oni said Kingsley Uwa, brigade commander, has directed more operations to tackle terrorist threats, adding that the brigade remains resolute in maintaining regional peace.

He urged the public to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.