Two Terrorists Killed, Weapons Recovered as Troops Foil Attack on Immigration Facility

By Our Defence Correspondent

Troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have neutralised two suspected Lakurawa terrorists and recovered a cache of weapons after repelling an attack on a Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) facility in Sokoto State, the army said in a statement on Friday.

The operation, one of several offensive manoeuvres conducted across Sokoto and Katsina States, underscored the military’s intensified push to dismantle terrorist and bandit networks in the North-West region.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for 8 Division and Sector 2, the incident unfolded when troops received a distress call reporting that members of the Lakurawa Terrorist Group (LTG) were attempting to set fire to an immigration post at Ruwa Wiri Village in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Military sources said the troops arrived swiftly and made direct contact with the assailants. A fierce firefight ensued, during which the soldiers overwhelmed the terrorists with superior firepower. Two of the attackers were confirmed killed on the spot, while the remaining fighters fled the scene.

A subsequent exploitation of the battle area led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, a significant quantity of ammunition, and one motorcycle abandoned by the fleeing terrorists. No casualties were reported among the security forces or immigration personnel, the statement added.

In a separate operation in Katsina State, troops on a fighting patrol intercepted another group of terrorists moving with herds of rustled livestock at Danya Bakwai Settlement in Jibia Local Government Area. The suspects abandoned 62 head of cattle and fled upon engagement. The livestock were later recovered and handed over to their rightful owners at the palace of the Daddara District Head in Jibia LGA.

Operation FANSAN YAMMA, which has been conducting coordinated ground offensives across the North-West, reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating terrorism and banditry. The military also reiterated a call for citizens to provide credible and timely information to security agencies.

“As troops continue to dominate the battlespace, the public is urged to remain vigilant and support ongoing operations,” Colonel Osoba said.

Efforts to track down the fleeing terrorists and recover additional assets are ongoing, defence sources said.