Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have overrun a Lakurawa terrorist enclave in Waria Forest, Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, neutralising several fighters and recovering weapons and five motorcycles during a clearance operation.
The operation, conducted on October 15, 2026, targeted identified terrorist hideouts along Alela, Bilange and Kandam villages leading towards Waria Forest, according to a statement issued by the Theatre Command.
The statement, signed by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said troops of Sector 2 encountered the terrorists during their advance into the forest.
The troops reportedly overwhelmed the fighters with superior firepower during the ensuing gun battle, forcing them to abandon their positions and flee deeper into the forest.
The military said the troops pursued the fleeing terrorists, neutralising several of them in the process.
A subsequent search of the area led to the destruction of the terrorists’ camps and associated life-support structures, while weapons and five motorcycles were recovered.
The operation forms part of sustained military efforts to dismantle terrorist strongholds, disrupt their operations and prevent them from using remote forest locations as safe havens.
According to the statement, troops have maintained a strong operational presence in the area, continuing clearance and domination operations to deny the terrorists freedom of movement and improve security in surrounding communities.
The Theatre Command said the latest operation underscored its commitment to dismantling terrorist enclaves and restoring lasting peace and security across the Joint Operations Area.
It commended the troops for their courage, resilience and sustained operational efforts, urging them to maintain the momentum of ongoing operations.
The military also called on residents to support security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence on suspicious movements and activities within their communities.
It stressed that public cooperation remained critical to ongoing efforts to track terrorist elements, disrupt their activities and prevent further threats to lives and property in Sokoto State and other parts of the North-West.
The operation adds to the military’s ongoing campaign against armed groups operating across the region, where security forces continue to pursue efforts to dismantle their camps and restrict their ability to threaten local communities.
