Troops Arrest 3 Suspected Gunrunners, Rescue 6 Victims In Zamfara

Troops of 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army, led by the acting commander, Col. J. Umaru operating under the Joint Task Force North West, “Operation Fansan Yamma” have arrested suspected gunrunners and rescued six kidnapped victims in separate incidents along the Kauran Namoda–Shinkafi and Anka–Gummi axis of Zamfara State.

A statement by the acting assistant director Army Public Relations  1 Brigade Nigerian Army Gusau, Captain Yusuf Mohammed said troops  on Sunday at about 1405 hours while conducting a stop-and -search operation on the Kauran Namoda–Shinkafi Road, intercepted and apprehended three suspected gun runners.

He identified the suspects as Lukman Sulaiman 20 years old and Nafiu Isa, 18 years both reportedly from Yar-Galadima, Dan-Sadau District, as well as Adamu Lawali, 60 years old, the driver of the vehicle.

He said the troops during the operation recovered one AK-103-2 rifle, one magazine and 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, concealed inside a bag of millet in a Golf Wagon with registration number BMJ-143AA.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were allegedly transporting the weapon to Yar-Galadima in Maru local government area.

He stated that further investigation indicated that the two younger suspects claimed an Alhaji resident in Gusau, whom they identified as their father, had provided money for the purchase of the millet used to conceal the weapon.

They further alleged that the firearm was intended for delivery to one Tijjani Goguwa of Yar-Galadima.

He said the suspects, weapon, ammunition and vehicle have been taken into custody for further investigation and necessary legal action, adding that efforts are also ongoing to arrest Tijani Goguwa alleged to be the owner of the weapon.

In a separate but related operation on the same day at about 1430 hours, troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Anka detected, through surveillance cameras, an attack on a vehicle by suspected terrorists at Gadan Manya along the Anka–Gummi Main Supply Route.

He said the troops immediately mobilized to the location and made contact with the attackers as they attempted to force the occupants of the vehicle into the bush.

According to him, the swift intervention by the troops disrupted the terrorists operation, compelling them to abandon all six victims and flee the area.

The victims were subsequently rescued and evacuated to General Hospital Anka for medical attention.  He however, said three of the rescued persons sustained minor bodily injuries and are currently receiving treatment in stable condition, adding that efforts are also being made to recover the vehicle.