Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has commended troops of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation Fansan Yamma, for recording significant operational successes against bandits operating in parts of the state.
The governor’s commendation followed coordinated military offensives carried out in Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji Local Government Areas of Zamfara State in the early hours of Thursday, May 7, 2026.
During the operations, troops reportedly neutralised three notorious gang leaders and recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition.
Recovered items included one AK-47 rifle, a machine gun, a locally fabricated handgun, seven rifle magazines, and 571 rounds of ammunition.
In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, Governor Lawal described the renewed military offensive as timely and effective, particularly following another successful operation conducted on May 10, 2026.
According to the statement, the latest operation disrupted a major gathering of terrorist leaders and eliminated several commanders.
“The troops acted on an intelligence report that confirmed that the terrorists had converged at a concealed location in Tumfa Village, Shinkafi Local Government Area, with the intention to coordinate attacks and criminal activities targeting innocent communities in the state,” the statement said.
It further disclosed that the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma carried out a precision airstrike on the identified hideout.
“The Air Component launched a precision airstrike on the identified terrorist hideout that successfully destroyed the structure, which served as the terrorists’ meeting point,” the statement added.
Governor Lawal reaffirmed the commitment of the Zamfara State Government to supporting military operations and other security agencies working to combat insecurity across the state.
He stressed that the government would continue to provide the necessary logistics and cooperation needed to sustain ongoing efforts against banditry and terrorism in Zamfara.

