Troops Crush Terrorists’ Midnight Attack, Rescue Nine Abductees

By Opeyemi Adelakun

Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have repelled a terrorist attack on a military base in Kasuwan Daji, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing several attackers and rescuing nine kidnapped residents during a follow-up operation.

The operation, however, claimed the lives of an Army officer and a police officer, while two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds.

The spokesman for Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt.-Col. Olaniyi Osoba, said the terrorists launched the attack at about 1:40 a.m. on Sunday in an attempt to overrun the military base under the cover of darkness.

According to him, alert troops detected the movement of the attackers early and responded with coordinated firepower, forcing the terrorists to retreat after suffering heavy casualties.

Osoba said reinforcements were immediately deployed, enabling troops to pursue the fleeing terrorists, who had abducted several residents from the surrounding community during the attack.

“The relentless pursuit by the troops led to the rescue of nine abducted locals, who were safely recovered,” he said.

He confirmed that one Army officer and one police officer were killed during the exchange of gunfire.

“Regrettably, one Army officer and one police officer paid the supreme price during the heavy firefight. Additionally, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care. Both personnel remain in stable condition,” Osoba added.

The military spokesman said troops have since secured the area and commenced exploitation operations aimed at assessing the full extent of the terrorists’ losses, recovering abandoned equipment and preventing further attacks.

He also dismissed reports claiming that six security personnel lost their lives during the operation.

“It is worthy to mention that only one Army officer and one police officer paid the supreme price,” he stated.

Osoba described the failed attack as another setback for terrorist groups operating in the North-West, noting that sustained military operations have continued to weaken their operational capability and limit their freedom of movement.