Nigerian Military Arrest Terrorists Supplier In Zamfara, With1000 Ammunition Hidden In Sack
During a search of the vehicle, the troops reportedly discovered a locally fabricated pistol, a magazine and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition concealed inside a sack containing millet.
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have arrested a suspected arms courier and recovered more than 1000 rounds of ammunition during an operation in Zamfara State, while also rescuing dozens of rustled cattle in Kaduna State.
The military disclosed the developments in a statement issued on Friday by the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja.
According to the statement, troops attached to Sector 2 of the operation intercepted a vehicle at a checkpoint in Kaura Namoda on June 5, 2026, while it was travelling towards Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
During a search of the vehicle, the troops reportedly discovered a locally fabricated pistol, a magazine and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition concealed inside a sack containing millet.
The military identified the suspect as 42-year-old Mustapha Abubakar, who was arrested at the scene.
According to Operation FANSAN YAMMA, preliminary investigations suggest that the suspect was allegedly transporting the weapons and ammunition to terrorist elements operating within the region.
“The recovered weapons and ammunition were allegedly being transported by a 42-year-old suspect identified as Mustapha Abubakar, who is believed to be involved in the illegal movement of arms and ammunition to terrorists operating within the region,” the statement said.
The military added that the suspect had been taken into custody while the recovered items were secured as exhibits for further investigation.
Authorities also said efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest other members of the suspected criminal network.
In a separate operation, troops of Sector 1 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA foiled an attempted cattle rustling operation in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
According to the military, the operation was launched after security personnel received a distress call from a herder whose cattle had allegedly been stolen by armed criminals.
“In a related development, troops of Sector 1 OPFY on 3 June 2026 successfully foiled an attempted cattle rustling operation in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State following a distress call from a local herder whose cattle had been rustled by armed criminals.
“Acting swiftly on the information, the troops mobilised and positioned along the suspected escape route of the rustlers. During the operation, troops encountered the criminals as they attempted to move the stolen livestock out of the area.
“The ensuing firefight forced the rustlers to abandon the cattle and flee into nearby bushes under intense military pressure,” the statement partly read.
Military authorities said the operations reflected ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist and criminal networks across the North-West and prevent the movement of weapons to armed groups operating in the region.
The Theatre Command commended the troops for what it described as their vigilance, professionalism and resilience, while calling on residents to continue providing intelligence to security agencies.
According to the command, public cooperation remains critical to ongoing efforts to combat terrorism, banditry, cattle rustling and other forms of criminality in the North-West.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA is the military’s ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operation covering several states in Nigeria’s North-West region, where security forces have intensified operations against armed groups responsible for attacks, kidnappings and cattle rustling.
