Nigerian troops from the 1 Brigade under Operation FANSAN YANMA, working alongside operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS), have intercepted a major arms shipment allegedly intended for terrorist groups in Zamfara State.
The operation, which took place between January 26 and 27, was launched after credible intelligence revealed the activities of suspected arms dealers operating from Niger Republic. Acting on this information, the military initiated a covert operation to track the movements of the suspects.
The interception happened along the Kaura Namoda-Zurmi Road, a known transit route in Zamfara State. Reports state that the suspects, realizing they were being pursued, attempted to evade capture by diverting their vehicle into a bush path. However, the troops responded swiftly.
After a brief exchange, the suspects abandoned their vehicle and escaped on foot. A thorough search of the vehicle uncovered a significant cache of weapons. The items recovered included two PKT machine guns, nine AK-47 rifles, 13 magazines, 171 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and nine rounds of PKT ammunition.
Although the suspects remain at large, the military and security forces have intensified efforts to track and apprehend them. Authorities believe the interception is a critical step toward disrupting the flow of illegal arms into the region.
Counter-terrorism expert Zagazola Makama, in a post on his verified X account, shared details of the operation and noted ongoing efforts to tackle arms trafficking networks in northern Nigeria. According to him, actions like these are essential to reducing the strength of terrorist groups in the area.
