The military forces in charge of security in the Northwest, Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY), have confirmed the killing of five soldiers in an ambush along Lilo-kotorkoshi road in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

It was gathered that the five soldiers were killed while they were escorting some traders to Gusau market last Monday. However, scores of bandits were also neutralised.

In a statement, the OPFY spokesman in the state, Captain David Adewusi, said the troops of 1 Brigade Forward Operating Base in Lilo village of Gusau Local government area of the state came under heavy terrorist fire while on patrol around Lilo–Kofi road.

“Following the fierce battle, the troops neutralized six terrorists, forcing the rest to flee in disarray”, he added.

“Sadly, three soldiers paid the supreme price, while two others who were critically wounded later succumbed to their injuries”.

The military chief further stated that the troop recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism and banditry during recent security operations carried out in parts of Zamfara and Sokoto States.

He further stated that the troops intercepted terrorist logistics including ransom money of over N20 million , recovered more than 160 rustled livestock, and neutralized terrorists during a series of coordinated and successive operations across Shinkafi, Gusau, Bukkuyum, and Tureta Local Government Areas (LGAS) of Zamfara and Sokoto States from 8 to 10 September 2025.

In his words, “The operation commenced with coordinated offensives along the Shinkafi – Katuru – Galadi – Tubali axis, where troops of 1 Brigade Forward Operating Base Shinkafi and Mobile Strike Team OPFY cleared terrorists’ hideouts within the forested areas of Galadi and Tubali villages, where many bandits escaped with gunshot wounds.

“Similarly, the same troops conducted stop-and-search operations at Katuru Bridge along Shinkafi – Katuru – Isa road, where three suspects were initially intercepted with the sum N8,7000.00.

“Later the same day, the troops intercepted two more suspects in a black Toyota Corolla with the sum of N14,000,000.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the monies were ransoms for locals abducted along Nigeria’s borders with the Niger Republic by terrorists hibernating within Shinkafi axis.

“Meanwhile, the exhibits and suspects have been handed over to appropriate agencies for further investigation.”

In a related development, the troops of OPFY operating in Anka and Tureta LGA of Zamfara and Sokoto states under Sector 2 OPFY ambushed terrorists moving livestock rustled from Talata Mafara and Tureta LGA to their enclaves at Bagega Forest and Furagirke Forest, respectively.

Captain Adewusi said the criminals fled with gunshot wounds, abandoning eight kidnapped victims and 21 sheep in the Anka axis, while 143 rustled sheep were recovered by the troops operating in the Tureta axis.

He pointed out that the rescued persons were reunited with their families, while the recovered livestock were handed over to the Local Government Chairmen of Bakura and Tureta, respectively, for further action.

The Operation Fansan Yamma reaffirmed its commitment to continue relentless operations until terrorism and banditry are eradicated.

“The public has been urged to support the security forces by providing timely and credible information to restore peace across the North West and parts of the North Central.” (The Guardian)