Troops of the Nigerian Army under Sector 1, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled a banditry attack and neutralised one terrorist during an ambush operation in Maraban Rido in Kaduna State.
According to a statement signed by Captain Bello Nuradeen, Acting Staff Officer Grade 2 (Community Relations), Army Public Relations, 1 Division Nigerian Army, the operation was launched following a distress call received late on January 22, 2026, about armed bandits who had rustled livestock in Anguwan Fulani village within the Rido general area.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, troops deployed to the area with the aim of conducting a hasty ambush,” the statement read. “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 conducted a follow-up operation in the surrounding forests, including Kankomi forest, where they engaged another group of fleeing terrorists near a suspected crossing point at Anguwan Sarki.
“During the engagement, troops again overwhelmed the terrorists with a high volume of fire, compelling them to abandon their loot and flee in disarray. This action led to the recovery of some rustled livestock,” Captain Nuradeen added.
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 (GOC) 1 Division Nigerian Army/Commander Sector 1 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed Wase, commended the troops for their bravery and professionalism during the operation.
He charged them to “sustain the tempo of operations in pursuing the criminals around their hideouts,” while reassuring the public of the Army’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property.
Major General Wase also urged citizens to continue providing timely and credible information to aid security operations in the state.
