Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have intercepted a suspected explosives courier carrying 180 units of 20mm Super Power explosives in Zamfara State.
The interception took place on Friday, August 14, 2026, during routine snap checks conducted by troops of Sector 2, according to the Nigerian Army.
The suspect was identified as 57-year-old Sani Umar.
The Army said Umar was allegedly transporting the explosives from Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State to suspected terrorist elements operating in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The explosives were reportedly discovered after troops stopped and searched Umar’s vehicle during the operation.
The suspect, vehicle and recovered explosives have been taken into custody for further investigation.
The Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, provided details of the interception, which the Army subsequently announced on Saturday.
The military did not disclose the identity of the alleged recipients or provide further details about Umar’s alleged role in the movement of explosives.
The interception occurred as troops were also conducting offensive operations against terrorist elements in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara.
Around Garin Kaso, troops engaged suspected terrorists in a fierce firefight, killing two and recovering two rifles, two magazines, nine rounds of ammunition and two motorcycles, the Army said.
The troops later came under another attempted ambush from terrorists operating from concealed positions.
According to the military, the attack was repelled and further casualties were inflicted on the terrorists, forcing surviving members to flee.
The exact number of casualties from the second encounter was not immediately established.
The Army, however, said community reports indicated that fleeing terrorists evacuated several wounded members as well as the bodies of some of those killed.
The operation comes amid sustained military efforts to disrupt armed groups operating across the North-West and cut off the logistics networks that supply them with weapons and other materials.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA has been conducting clearance, rescue and offensive operations across the North-West, including Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi and Kaduna. Defence Headquarters has previously reported arrests, weapons recoveries and disruption of criminal supply routes under the operation.
The latest interception underscores the importance of targeting the supply chains behind terrorist and bandit operations, particularly in areas where armed groups rely on weapons, explosives, motorcycles and other logistical support to maintain mobility and conduct attacks.
The Theatre Command said the operation would continue, with troops targeting terrorist enclaves and their support networks.
It said the military remained committed to denying terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action across the North-West.
The suspect and recovered materials remain in military custody as investigation into the alleged explosives movement continues.
