Nigerian Army troops kill a terrorist commander's lieutenant in Katsina, repel an armed advance on Ghandi town in Sokoto, and neutralise a suspect hiding weapons in a concealed vehicle compartment in Plateau.
Abuja — August 31, 2026
Troops of the Nigerian Army conducting operations across Katsina, Sokoto, and Plateau states have killed suspected terrorists, thwarted an attempted armed advance on a community, and recovered a substantial cache of weapons and logistics, according to statements from two separate joint task forces.
In Katsina State, troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, neutralised a key terrorist lieutenant during a clearance operation in Matazu Local Government Area on August 29. According to Media Information Officer Lt Col Aliyu Danja, troops confirmed the killing of a terrorist identified as Smally, described as a lieutenant of notorious terrorist leader Kachalla Muhammadu Filani, after encountering and overcoming stiff resistance during the operation.
Troops recovered three machine guns, two AK-47 rifles, 11 magazines, and 180 rounds of ammunition, along with six motorcycles allegedly used by the terrorists. Danja said the operation forms part of Operation Fansan Yamma's sustained offensive to degrade terrorist networks across its joint operations area.
In neighbouring Sokoto State, troops of Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, thwarted an attempted advance by armed terrorists toward Ghandi town in Rabah Local Government Area on Sunday, acting on credible intelligence about the group's movement.
Troops deployed to strategic positions around the Ghandi Bridge and engaged the attackers on contact, forcing them to retreat in disarray, with several sustaining gunshot wounds and some reportedly attempting to escape by jumping into a nearby river.
A follow-up clearance and search operation at daybreak recovered an AK-47 rifle, a loaded magazine, additional ammunition, and personal effects abandoned by the fleeing attackers. Troops say search and mop-up operations are continuing to track down the remaining suspects.
In Plateau State, troops of Operation Enduring Peace neutralised a suspected terrorist during an intelligence-led operation in Zak village, Wase Local Government Area, at around 9:50 a.m. on Saturday. According to Joint Task Force spokesman Captain Chinonso Oteh, troops intercepted a green Volkswagen Golf bearing registration DKA-808XM during a stop-and-search operation and discovered a concealed compartment inside the dashboard.
When the driver refused to open the compartment and fled into nearby bush, troops pursued and apprehended him. Oteh said the suspect then attempted to disarm one of the soldiers and was swiftly neutralised in the ensuing struggle.
Items recovered from the vehicle included two AK-47 rifles, one magazine, two wooden rifle butts, nine magazine pouches, two camel bags, six jungle hats, a mobile phone, and an ATM card.
Major General Maxwell Dangana, Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, commended troops for maintaining what he described as a decisive and aggressive posture against criminal elements, and urged residents to continue providing timely, actionable information to support ongoing operations and protect lives and property.
The coordinated operations across three states underscore the scale of the military's simultaneous counter-terrorism push in Nigeria's North West and North Central zones, coming amid sustained security pressure in Plateau's Mangu and Riyom LGAs and continued efforts to dismantle logistics and weapons networks feeding banditry and terrorism nationwide.
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