Troops of 1 Division/Sector 1 Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY) have successfully foiled a banditry incident and neutralized one suspected violent extremist during a snap ambush operation conducted in Maraban Rido general area of Kaduna State.

The Operations followed a distress call received late on 22 January 2026, indicating the presence of armed bandits that had rustled some livestock in Anguwan Fulan village within the Rido general area. Acting swiftly on the intelligence, troops deployed to the area with the aim of conducting a hasty ambush. Upon arrival, troops made contact with the fleeing bandits and engaged them with superior firepower, forcing the criminals to withdraw in disarray, with gunshot wounds. The troops further conducted aggressive exploitation of surrounding forested areas, including the Kankomi forest, where another contact was made at a suspected crossing point around Anguwan Sarki.

During the engagement, troops again overwhelmed the terrorists with high volume of fire, compelling them to abandon their loot and flee indisarray. This action led to the recovery of some rustled livestock.

Further exploitation of the ambush location in the early hours of 23 January 2026 resulted in the neutralization of one terrorist. Troops also recovered two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, and fifteen rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

The General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army/Commander Sector 1 Operation FANSAN YAMMA Major General Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed Wase has commended the gallant troops for their bravery and professionalism during the encounter. He also charged them to sustain the tempo of Operations in pursuing the criminals around their hideouts.

The GOC reassures members of the public of the troops unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property and urges citizens to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.