The rescued abductee. Credit: Nigerian Army
A Nigerian Army officer and a police officer were killed after troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA repelled a terrorist attack on a Forward Operating Base in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The troops also rescued nine abducted civilians while pursuing the fleeing attackers following the failed assault.
The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 8 Division Nigerian Army/Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba.
According to the statement, the terrorists attempted to infiltrate the Forward Operating Base at Kasuwan Daji at about 1:40 a.m. on Saturday, August 2, but were met with fierce resistance from troops on duty.
“Troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, deployed at the Forward Operating Base in Kasuwan Daji, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, decisively foiled an attempted infiltration by terrorists,” the statement said.
The Army noted that vigilant troops detected the attackers’ movement early and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, inflicting heavy casualties and forcing the terrorists to retreat in disarray.
Following the initial exchange of gunfire, reinforcements were deployed, and troops launched a pursuit of the fleeing terrorists, who had abducted an unspecified number of residents from nearby communities during the attack.
The operation led to the successful rescue of nine abducted civilians, who were recovered unharmed.
Despite the success of the operation, the Army confirmed that one Army officer and one police officer lost their lives in the fierce gun battle. Two soldiers also sustained gunshot wounds and were immediately airlifted for advanced medical treatment.
According to the Army, both injured soldiers are in stable condition.
The statement added that troops have since secured and dominated the area and are conducting exploitation operations to determine the full extent of the terrorists’ losses while ensuring the safety of residents.
The Army described the failed attack as another significant setback for terrorist groups operating in the North-West amid sustained military offensives across the region.
