Nigerian troops have intercepted a suspected arms and explosives courier carrying 180 units of 20mm Super Power explosives in Zamfara State, the military has said.
The suspect, identified as 57-year-old Sani Umar, was arrested on Friday during routine vehicle checks by troops of Sector 2, operating under the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
Umar was allegedly transporting the explosives from the Gusau local government area in Zamfara to suspected terrorist fighters operating in the Jibia local government area of neighbouring Katsina State.
Lt Col Aliyu Danja, the task force’s media information officer, said troops discovered the explosives after searching Umar’s vehicle.
“The suspect, vehicle, and recovered explosives are currently in custody for further investigation,” the Nigerian Army said in a statement posted on X on Saturday.
The interception came as troops were conducting simultaneous offensive operations against suspected terrorists in the Birnin Magaji local government area.
The military said troops engaged fighters near Garin Kaso in a heavy exchange of gunfire, killing two suspected terrorists and recovering two rifles, two magazines, nine rounds of ammunition, and two motorcycles.
A second group of fighters subsequently attempted to ambush the troops from concealed positions but was repelled, according to the army.
The military said further casualties were inflicted on the attackers, forcing surviving fighters to retreat from the area.
The number of casualties in the second encounter could not immediately be established. Community reports, however, indicated that the fleeing fighters evacuated several wounded colleagues as well as the bodies of some of those killed, according to the military.
The army said the operations reflected the continuing offensive strategy of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, which is targeting not only terrorist hideouts but also the supply networks used to move weapons and explosives.
The Theatre Command said it would sustain operations aimed at disrupting terrorist activity and denying armed groups “freedom of action across the Northwest.”
