Troops arrest three suspected terrorist collaborators, destroy enclaves in Kaduna, Katsina

Abdullateef Fowewe

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have arrested three suspected terrorist collaborators, recovered locally fabricated firearms and ammunition, and destroyed terrorist enclaves during separate operations in Kaduna and Katsina states.

The military said the operations, carried out on August 27 and 28, also led to the recovery of an RPG-7 tube, a motorcycle and mobile phones from an enclave linked to a notorious terrorist leader in Katsina State.

In a statement on Saturday, the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said troops of Sector 1 acted on intelligence on August 27 and apprehended a suspected terrorist collaborator in Kaduna State.

According to the statement, the suspect was found with “2 locally fabricated guns and 13 rounds of ammunition concealed in a bag.”

“During preliminary investigation, the suspect disclosed that he had been tasked to deliver the weapons and ammunition to another individual,” Danja said.

He said troops subsequently acted on information obtained from the suspect and arrested two other persons allegedly connected to the movement of the weapons.

“The 3 suspects, along with the recovered weapons, ammunition and other items, are currently undergoing further investigation,” the statement added.

In Katsina State, troops of Sector 2, working with other security agencies, conducted a clearance operation against terrorist camps around Maharba and Karaduwa in Matazu Local Government Area on August 28.

Danja said the troops cleared and destroyed the identified enclaves and structures allegedly used by the terrorists to facilitate their criminal activities.

He added that an enclave linked to Kachalla Muhammadu Filani, described as a notorious terrorist leader, was also destroyed during the operation.

“The terrorist leader narrowly escaped as troops advanced towards the enclave,” the military spokesperson said.

Items recovered from the area included “an RPG-7 tube, a motorcycle, mobile phones and other items,” while troops later carried out fighting patrols to consolidate the operation and restrict the movement of the terrorists.

The Joint Task Force said the operations reflected its continued efforts to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt the movement of arms and logistics, and deny criminal groups access to operational bases across the North-West.

“Operation FANSAN YAMMA remains resolute in taking the fight to the terrorists through coordinated and intelligence-driven operations aimed at degrading their capabilities and restoring lasting peace and security to affected communities,” Danja said.