Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have thwarted the movement of suspected terrorists, recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition, and arrested a suspected criminal in separate operations in Kaduna State.

According to counter-terrorism expert Zagazola Makama, the operations were conducted between September 23 and 24, 2026, as troops sustained clearance operations to disrupt terrorist and criminal activities across the Joint Operations Area.

Makama said troops of Sector 1, acting on credible intelligence on September 23, intercepted the movement of suspected terrorists through bushes around Rijana in Kachia Local Government Area.

He said the troops laid an ambush and engaged the suspects after sighting them, forcing them to flee into the surrounding terrain.

A follow-up search of the area reportedly led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, a magazine loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition, a magazine carrier and a military jungle hat, among other items.

In a separate operation the same day, troops conducted a clearance operation in Awom village, Kachia LGA, to prevent terrorists and other criminal elements from using the community as a safe haven.

During the operation, the troops arrested a suspected criminal identified as Jacob, who was allegedly found in possession of a fabricated pistol and seven rounds of ammunition.

The suspect remains in military custody for further investigation.