Troops Intercept Suspected Arms Courier, Recover Over 1,000 Rounds of Ammunition in Zamfara

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have arrested a suspected arms courier and recovered more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition during an operation in Zamfara State.

In a statement signed by the Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, the suspect, identified as 42-year-old Mustapha Abubakar, was arrested at a checkpoint in Kaura Namoda while travelling towards Shinkafi Local Government Area.

The military said troops recovered a locally fabricated pistol, a magazine and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition concealed inside a sack containing millet during a search of the vehicle.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect was allegedly transporting the weapons and ammunition to terrorists operating in the region. Efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the suspected criminal network.

In a separate operation in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, troops foiled a cattle rustling attempt after responding to a distress call from a herder.

The troops intercepted the rustlers along their escape route, forcing them to abandon 53 stolen cattle and flee during a gun battle.

The recovered livestock were subsequently returned to their owner.

The military said the operations underscore ongoing efforts to disrupt the supply of arms to terrorists and protect communities and livelihoods across the North-West region.