Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have recovered one AK-47 rifle loaded with 17 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition after engaging suspected terrorists who attempted to overrun a farming community along the Kankara-Katsina road. The encounter took place on Tuesday afternoon at Tudu village in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.
According to military sources, the terrorists were sighted on motorcycles while the troops were conducting a fighting patrol along the Kankara-Katsina highway. The troops moved swiftly to intercept the armed men, who opened fire immediately upon realising that security forces had identified them. A fierce exchange of gunfire ensued, lasting several minutes before the superior firepower of the patrol team forced the attackers to retreat.
The terrorists reportedly abandoned their motorcycles and fled into the surrounding bush, taking advantage of the rugged terrain and dense vegetation that characterises the Kankara forest corridor. No casualties were recorded on the side of the troops, though sources indicated that some of the fleeing terrorists may have sustained gunshot wounds.
Following the encounter, troops exploited the general area and recovered one AK-47 rifle loaded with 17 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. The weapon, which was found near the abandoned motorcycles, is now in military custody as an exhibit. The motorcycles were also impounded.
The Kankara axis has witnessed heightened bandit activity in recent weeks, with criminal groups using the forest as a staging point for attacks on farming communities and a transit route for rustled cattle. The area shares boundaries with Dutsinma and Faskari local government areas, where similar encounters have been recorded in the past.
Residents of Tudu village have commended the troops for their swift response and professionalism, noting that the patrol likely prevented a larger attack on the community. A local source told reporters that the terrorists were believed to have been planning to raid nearby settlements before they were intercepted.
The Nigerian Army has intensified patrols along the Kankara-Katsina road and its feeder routes as part of ongoing efforts to secure major highways and rural communities in Katsina State. Operation FANSAN YAMMA, a joint military operation covering the North-West zone, has recorded several successes in recent weeks, including the rescue of kidnapped victims, the neutralisation of suspected terrorists, and the recovery of weapons and motorcycles.
In a separate development, troops of the same operation recently arrested two suspected terrorists during a stop-and-search operation along the Dutsinma-Kankara-Turare road. Items recovered from the suspects include mobile phones and other communication devices believed to have been used to coordinate attacks across the area.
The recovery of an AK-47 rifle in Tuesday’s encounter marks the third such recovery by troops in the Kankara-Dutsinma axis within the past month, indicating sustained pressure on terrorist networks operating in the region. Military authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements to security agencies, as efforts continue to track down fleeing members of the gang.
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