Five Soldiers, Police Officer killed in Terrorist ambush as troops repel terrorist attack

Five Soldiers, Police Officer killed in Terrorist ambush as troops repel terrorist attack

A deadly attack by terrorists has claimed the lives of five soldiers and a police officer after troops attached to Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), Joint Task Force North West, were ambushed along the Bingi–Kekun Waje–Gusau Road in Zamfara State.

The attack happened on Monday as the troops were on their way back from a string of offensive operations carried out between January 17 and 19 in Birnin Magaji and Anka local government areas, where security forces had earlier made notable gains against armed groups.

In a statement released Tuesday on the operation’s official X account by the Media Information Officer, Captain David Adewusi, the military disclosed that the forces had recorded major successes before the ambush. According to him, the coordinated raids, ambushes and fighting patrols disrupted terrorist activities across the affected areas.

“During the operations, three suspects identified as Isiya Kwakwatawa, Ibrahim Dan Musulu and Makau Lamba Goma were arrested, while four terrorists were neutralised and others fled into the forest,” the statement said.

Security forces also recovered a cache of weapons and equipment during the earlier operations, including a PKT machine gun, five AK-47 rifles, three AK-47 magazines, quantities of 7.62mm special ammunition, Baofeng communication radios and three motorcycles.

Captain Adewusi explained that the fatal encounter occurred when troops of OPFY Combat Team 1 were responding to a distress call over a retaliatory terrorist attack.

While moving toward Kekun Waje, the soldiers were ambushed at Gidan Wagni.

“Despite the surprise nature of the attack, the troops responded gallantly, engaging the terrorists and preventing further harm to nearby communities,” he said.

He confirmed, however, that “five soldiers and one police officer paid the supreme sacrifice during the encounter.”

In response to the ambush, the OPFY Mobile Strike Team, together with personnel from the 1 Brigade Quick Reaction Force operating from Forward Operating Bases in Kanoma and Kekun Waje, were immediately mobilised to the area.

“The reinforcement, which was personally led by the Commander 1 Brigade, mounted a robust counter-ambush that forced the terrorists to withdraw,” the statement added.

Military intelligence gathered after the clash revealed that several high-profile bandits were hit during the exchange.

Among them were Janwuya, a notorious bandit leader, and Alhaji Bello, described as the second-in-command to Kachalla Soja, both of whom reportedly sustained severe gunshot wounds. Other fleeing terrorists were also believed to have been injured.

Troops, working alongside local vigilante groups, have since launched pursuit operations in the area, while further exploitation and offensive actions are ongoing.

Operation FANSAN YAMMA reassured residents that security remains under control and reaffirmed its resolve to safeguard lives and property while restoring lasting peace across the Joint Operations Area.

“The Theatre Commander has condoled with the Commander Sector 2 on the loss and commended the troops for their courage, sacrifice and professionalism,” Adewusi said.

He also appealed to members of the public to stay calm and continue supporting security efforts by sharing timely and credible information with relevant agencies.