Troops kill terrorists, recover weapons in Katsina, Sokoto, Plateau

Nigerian troops reported killing suspected terrorists and recovering weapons during operations in Katsina, Sokoto and Plateau states.

In Katsina, soldiers from Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force North-West, operating under Operation Fansan Yamma, conducted a clearance operation in Matazu Local Government Area on August 29. The army said the troops encountered heavy resistance but forced the armed men to flee.

The task force said troops confirmed the death of a terrorist identified as Smally, whom it described as a lieutenant of the wanted terrorist leader Kachalla Muhammadu Filani. Soldiers recovered three machine guns, two AK-47 rifles, 11 magazines, 180 rounds of ammunition and six motorcycles.

In neighbouring Sokoto, troops said they stopped an attempted advance by armed terrorists toward Ghandi town in Rabah Local Government Area. Soldiers took positions around Ghandi Bridge and engaged the group, forcing it to retreat. The army said several fighters suffered gunshot wounds and some tried to escape by jumping into a nearby river. A follow-up search recovered an AK-47 rifle, a loaded magazine, more ammunition and other abandoned belongings.

In Plateau State, troops from Operation Enduring Peace killed a suspected terrorist during an intelligence-led operation in Zak village, Wase Local Government Area. The operation involved a stop-and-search check of a green Golf vehicle, according to task force spokesman Captain Chinonso Oteh.

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During exploitation of the area, troops confirmed the neutralisation of a terrorist identified as Smally, a lieutenant of notorious terrorist leader Kachalla Muhammadu Filani.