Army arrests three suspected gun runners in Zamfara, rescues six

In an operation conducted on Sunday, troops from the Nigerian Army's 1 Brigade arrested three suspected gun runners and recovered an AK-103-2 rifle along with 30 rounds of ammunition in Zamfara State. The arrests took place near the Kauran Namoda–Shinkafi Road, according to a statement released on Monday by Captain Yusuf Mohammed, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for 1 Brigade.

The suspects, identified as 20-year-old Lukman Sulaiman, 18-year-old Nafiu Isa, and 60-year-old Adamu Lawali, were found in a Golf Wagon carrying a concealed bag of millet. The weapon, concealed inside the millet bag, was destined for Yar-Galadima in Maru Local Government Area, according to preliminary investigations. The two younger suspects claimed that their father, an Alhaji resident in Gusau, had provided funds for purchasing the millet to conceal the weapon.

The suspects, the rifle, ammunition, and vehicle have been taken into custody for further investigation and legal proceedings.

In a separate incident on the same day, troops at Forward Operating Base Anka rescued six individuals after a suspected terrorist attack on a vehicle near Gadan Manya on the Anka–Gummi Main Supply Route. Surveillance cameras detected the attack around 2:30pm, prompting the immediate deployment of troops to the scene. The attackers attempted to force the vehicle occupants into the bush, but swift military intervention disrupted their operation, forcing them to abandon the six victims and flee the area.

The six survivors were rescued and evacuated to General Hospital Anka for medical treatment. Three of the rescued individuals sustained minor injuries and were in stable condition. Efforts were also made to recover the vehicle involved in the attack.