In a significant escalation of Operation FANSAN YANMA under the TSAFTADAJI III – Phase 2, Nigerian army troops have neutralized 44 terrorists and inflicted heavy casualties on over 25 others in a series of coordinated assaults across Zamfara State.
The operation, launched on February 7, 2025, saw a three-pronged attack targeting terrorist strongholds in the Mashema general area, known as a major hub for armed bandits and insurgents.
Leading the offensive, the 1Brigade Special Forces, with support from the Air Component of OPFY, began their assault at 0800 hours. Team 1 advanced through several terrorist enclaves, clearing fortified positions at Kashabawa, Bwarare, and Zaki, before confronting entrenched forces at Sakarawa Hill.
Truth Live News gathered that intelligence revealed to Zagazola Makama, a northern security watchdog and analyst that the terrorists had laid numerous Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the troops’ route. The soldiers responded with a strategic flanking maneuver to bypass these traps, engaging the enemy in a combined ground and air assault.
“Despite successfully eliminating several terrorists, troops were unable to fully exploit the high ground due to heavy mining at the foot of the hill,” stated a military source. The Air Component of OPFY conducted a second aerial bombardment, further neutralizing insurgents.
In another front towards Badarawa, troops met resistance but managed to clear several terrorist pockets.
Among the 44 terrorists killed were key commanders connected to notorious bandit leaders Bello Turji and Sani Black, including Sanni Bammuwa, Kachallah Auta (former deputy to Sani Black), Audu Gajere, Kabiru Jangeru, and Dan-Kane (son of Audu Jabbi).
Remarkably, despite the fierce combat and the threat of IEDs, there were no casualties reported among the Nigerian troops.