Troops Kill Three Terrorists, Recover Weapons in Sokoto Forest Operation

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

Troops of the Nigerian Army operating under the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have killed three suspected terrorists during a military operation in Kadam Forest in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

According to a statement by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the troops from the Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Battalion 7, working with the 8 Division Strike Team, launched the operation after receiving intelligence that more than 100 terrorists had gathered in the forest to plan attacks and kidnappings in surrounding communities.

The troops reportedly intercepted the group at about midday on Monday, leading to a fierce gun battle. The statement said the soldiers repelled a rear-flanking attempt by the terrorists and maintained control of the battlefield.

Following the operation, three terrorists were confirmed killed, while several others were believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds. Troops recovered a 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-up operations are ongoing in the area to track fleeing fighters, recover more weapons and prevent the regrouping of the terrorist network.