A Nigerian Army officer and a police officer were killed when troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA repelled a terrorist attack on a Forward Operating Base in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, rescuing nine abducted civilians in the process.
The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division/ Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba. According to the statement, terrorists attempted to infiltrate the Forward Operating Base at Kasuwan Daji at about 1:40 a.m. on Saturday but were met with heavy resistance from troops, who forced them to retreat after a fierce gun battle.
The Army said the troops detected the terrorists’ movement early and responded with coordinated firepower, frustrating the attack and inflicting heavy casualties on the assailants. Following the failed assault, reinforcements were deployed to pursue the fleeing terrorists, who had abducted residents from nearby communities during the attack. The pursuit led to the rescue of nine abducted civilians.
The Army, however, confirmed the loss of one Army officer and one police officer during the exchange of fire, while two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds. The injured soldiers were evacuated by air for advanced medical treatment and are said to be in stable condition.
Osoba said troops had since secured the area and were conducting exploitation operations to determine the full extent of the terrorists’ casualties while ensuring the safety of surrounding communities. The military also dismissed reports circulating online that six security personnel were killed in the attack, insisting that only one Army officer and one police officer lost their lives.
The Army described the failed attack as another setback for terrorist groups operating in the North-West and reaffirmed its commitment to sustained offensive operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and restoring lasting peace across the region.
