Army intercepts courier with 180 explosives in Zamfara

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, on Friday, August 14, 2026, intercepted a 57-year-old suspected explosives courier, Sani Umar, with 180 units of 20mm Super Power explosives in Zamfara State, during a routine snap check on vehicles by troops of Sector.

According to the Nigerian Army, Umar was transporting the explosives from Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State to suspected terrorists operating in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, said a search of the suspect’s vehicle led to the recovery of the explosives.

The Army said the suspect, vehicle and recovered explosives remained in custody for further investigation.
Meanwhile, troops conducting offensive operations against terrorists in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area engaged terrorists around Garin Kaso, killing two suspected terrorists.

The troops also recovered two rifles, two magazines, nine rounds of ammunition and two motorcycles.
The military said another group of terrorists later attempted to ambush the troops from concealed positions but was repelled, with several terrorists reportedly wounded.

The Army said the operation was part of its sustained offensive to dismantle terrorist enclaves and disrupt logistics networks supplying weapons and explosives to criminal elements across the North-West.