Troops of the Nigerian Army’s Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have killed a key terrorist lieutenant and recovered weapons, ammunition and motorcycles during a clearance operation in Katsina State.
The operation was conducted on Saturday, August 29, 2026, in identified terrorist enclaves in Matazu Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said troops of Sector 2 encountered stiff resistance from armed terrorists during the operation.
According to him, the troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the terrorists to flee the area.
During the subsequent exploitation of the area, the troops confirmed the death of a terrorist identified as “Smally”, whom the Army described as a lieutenant to a notorious terrorist leader, Kachalla Muhammadu Filani.
The troops also recovered three machine guns, two AK-47 rifles, 11 magazines, 180 rounds of ammunition and six motorcycles allegedly used by the terrorists.
The Army said the operation was part of sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and degrade their operational capabilities across the Joint Operations Area.
It added that troops remained committed to maintaining pressure on terrorist groups, denying them freedom of action and creating conditions for the restoration of peace and security in affected communities.
Foil attack on Kukawa
Meanwhile, troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have foiled a terrorist attack on Kukawa town in Borno State, killing several terrorists and destroying 10 motorcycles.
The military said the operation followed a coordinated ground and air response after terrorists attacked troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion deployed in Kukawa at about 10:50 p.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the troops responded with direct and indirect fire, forcing the terrorists to withdraw towards the Cross Kauwa axis.
He said several terrorists were killed during the encounter, while others sustained gunshot wounds as they fled the area.
Goni added that troops later recovered the bodies of some of the terrorists during exploitation operations.
According to him, the terrorists attempted to escape towards Cross Kauwa on motorcycles, prompting the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI to launch an aerial interdiction operation.
Despite challenging weather conditions, the air component reportedly engaged terrorists taking cover under trees, killing an estimated 10 of them.
The Multi-National Joint Task Force’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets subsequently tracked about 20 motorcycles conveying fleeing terrorists towards the Tunbuns/Kangarwa axis.
Based on the intelligence gathered, the Air Component conducted a follow-up precision strike, which reportedly killed an additional 15 terrorists and destroyed 10 motorcycles.
During subsequent ground exploitation, troops recovered two motorcycles, killed another terrorist and recovered assorted ammunition and other items.
The military said the coordinated ground and air operations disrupted the attack, prevented the terrorists from regrouping and further degraded their mobility and fighting capability.
It added that troops were subsequently replenished by air with essential combat supplies to sustain their operations and maintain pressure on the terrorists.
Four military personnel sustained injuries during the engagement, although none of the injuries was life-threatening. The wounded personnel were evacuated by air for medical treatment and were said to be in stable condition.
Troops have since commenced reorganisation and further exploitation of the area, while battle damage assessment and evaluation of the operation are ongoing.
The Joint Task Force said the successful defence of Kukawa demonstrated the effectiveness of integrating ground forces, air assets and intelligence capabilities in responding to terrorist threats.
