Five Soldiers, Police Officer Killed as Troops Repel Terrorist Ambush in Zamfara

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), Joint Task Force North West, have successfully repelled a terrorist ambush along the Bingi–Kekun Waje–Gusau Road in Zamfara State, though five soldiers and one police officer lost their lives in the encounter.

The incident occurred on January 19, 2026, according to a statement released on Tuesday by the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Captain David Adewusi.

Captain Adewusi explained that the ambush followed a series of coordinated offensive operations conducted between January 17 and 19 by Sector 2 OPFY, the OPFY Mobile Strike Team, and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Tactical Support Team. The operations targeted terrorist hideouts in Birnin Magaji and Anka areas of the state.

During the clearance operations, three suspected terrorists identified as Isiya Kwakwatawa, Ibrahim Dan Musulu, and Makau Lamba Goma were arrested, while four terrorists were neutralised. Troops also recovered one PKT machine gun, five AK-47 rifles with magazines, several rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, Baofeng communication radios, and three motorcycles.

The statement noted that while responding to a distress call over a suspected terrorist reprisal attack at Gidan Wagni, troops of OPFY Combat Team 1 were ambushed and came under heavy fire. Despite the attack, the soldiers reportedly engaged the terrorists and prevented them from causing further harm to nearby communities.

Reinforcements from the OPFY Mobile Strike Team and the 1 Brigade Quick Reaction Force, led by the Commander of 1 Brigade and deployed from Forward Operating Bases in Kanoma and Kekun Waje, swiftly moved to the scene.

The combined forces launched a counter-ambush, forcing the terrorists to retreat. Intelligence reports indicate that a notorious bandit kingpin, Janwuya, and his deputy, Alhaji Bello—said to be the second-in-command to Kachalla Soja—were seriously injured during the exchange, while other fleeing terrorists sustained gunshot wounds.

Pursuit operations, with the support of community vigilantes, are currently ongoing to track down the fleeing elements.

The Theatre Commander of Operation FANSAN YAMMA condoled with the Sector 2 Commander over the loss of personnel and commended the troops for their bravery, sacrifice, and professionalism.