Troops of the COAS Special Intervention Battalion 7, in collaboration with the 8 Division Strike Team under the Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have neutralised terrorists and recovered weapons during a major offensive in Kadam Forest, located in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The operation targeted members of the Lakurawa terrorist network believed to have gathered in the forest to coordinate attacks and kidnappings in surrounding communities.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Olaniyi Osoba, the troops acted on credible intelligence that over 100 terrorists had assembled deep within the forest to plan attacks and transport kidnapped victims to their strongholds.
He said troops swiftly mobilised to intercept the terrorists and established contact with the group at about 12:00 pm.
“The ensuing firefight was fierce and sustained. When the terrorists attempted a rear-flanking manoeuvre, troops responded with superior firepower, effectively neutralising the threat and maintaining tactical dominance throughout the engagement,” the statement said.
Following the clash, troops carried out exploitation operations within the forest, confirming the neutralisation of three terrorists, while several others were believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds.
Items recovered during the operation include one PKT machine gun, two AK-47 rifles, 350 rounds of PKT ammunition, 111 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, three magazines, two radios, three motorcycles and a mobile phone.
The Army said follow-on operations were ongoing to track fleeing terrorists, confirm additional casualties and recover more weapons.
The statement added that troop morale remained high, noting that the successful operation underscored the effectiveness of intelligence-driven joint security operations in degrading terrorist networks and disrupting their activities.
Security forces under Operation FANSAN YAMMA have continued aggressive patrols and sustained offensive operations in the area to prevent regrouping by fleeing terrorist elements and ensure improved security for residents of the region.
