Troops of Joint Task Force (North West) Operation Fansan Yamma have arrested a suspected arms courier and recovered more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition during an operation in Zamfara state.
The soldiers also foiled a cattle rustling operation in Kaduna state and recovered 53 stolen cattle. According to a statement issued on Friday by Lt Col Aliyu Danja, media information officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, the operations were conducted across the north-west theatre.
Danja said troops of Sector 2 deployed at a checkpoint in Kaura Namoda intercepted a vehicle travelling towards Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara on June 5.
He said a search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a locally fabricated pistol, a magazine and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition concealed inside a sack of millet. The military identified the suspect as Mustapha Abubakar, 42.
The statement said the suspect is believed to be involved in the illegal movement of arms and ammunition to terrorists operating in the region. The suspect was taken into custody while the recovered items were secured for further investigation.
Danja said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect was transporting the weapons and ammunition to an accomplice.
The military also said troops of Sector 1 foiled an attempted cattle rustling operation in Chikun LGA of Kaduna on June 3.
The operation followed a distress call from a herder whose cattle had been stolen by armed criminals. Danja said the troops mobilised and positioned themselves along the suspected escape route used by the rustlers.
He said the troops engaged the suspects in a firefight as they attempted to move the stolen cattle out of the area.
The military said the operations underscored ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist and criminal networks operating in the north-west.
The theatre command commended the troops for their vigilance and professionalism and urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies.