Troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled a daring midnight terrorist assault on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Kasuwan Daji in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, crushing the attackers, killing several terrorists, rescuing nine abducted civilians and losing one Army officer and one police officer in the fierce battle, in an operation that underscored the military’s determination to deny armed groups a foothold in the North-West.
The fierce confrontation, which erupted at about 1:40 a.m. on Sunday, saw terrorists launch a coordinated attack on the military base under the cover of darkness. However, vigilant troops detected the movement of the assailants early and responded with overwhelming firepower, triggering a prolonged gun battle that left several terrorists dead and forced the surviving fighters to retreat in confusion.
The operation, according to the Nigerian Army, ended in another significant setback for terrorist groups operating across the North-West, as troops immediately launched a pursuit of the fleeing gunmen, preventing them from escaping with residents they had abducted from nearby communities.
In a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division Nigerian Army and Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the military said the pursuit operation culminated in the successful rescue of nine kidnapped civilians who were safely recovered from their captors.
“The successful defence of the base resulted in heavy casualties for the attackers, forcing them to retreat in disarray, and led to the rescue of nine abducted civilians,” the statement said.
Military sources noted that the attack appeared to be a desperate attempt by the terrorists to regain lost ground following sustained offensives by Operation FANSAN YAMMA, which have continued to dismantle criminal enclaves and disrupt the activities of armed groups across Zamfara and neighbouring states.
Despite the operational victory, the Army confirmed that the battle claimed the lives of one Army officer and one police officer, both of whom were described as having paid the supreme price in defence of the nation.
Two other soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire and were immediately evacuated by air to a medical facility for advanced treatment. The Army said both personnel remain in stable condition and are responding well to medical care.
Following the successful defence of the base, troops secured the area and commenced exploitation operations to determine the full extent of the terrorists’ casualties, recover abandoned equipment and ensure that surrounding communities remained safe from further attacks.
The military also dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that six security personnel were killed during the attack, insisting that the information was false and misleading.
“Contrary to rumours circulating online that six personnel died, it is worthy to mention that only one Army officer and one police officer paid the supreme price,” Lieutenant Colonel Osoba stated.
Reaffirming its determination to sustain the offensive against terrorist groups, the Army said Operation FANSAN YAMMA remains committed to protecting vulnerable communities, dismantling terrorist networks and denying criminal elements the freedom to operate anywhere in the North-West.
The latest victory comes amid intensified military operations across the region, where security forces have stepped up coordinated offensives against terrorists, bandits and other armed groups in a renewed effort to restore lasting peace and security. While the successful defence of the Kasuwan Daji base has dealt another blow to the terrorists, the sacrifice of the fallen security personnel underscores the heavy price security forces continue to pay in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against insecurity.