By Chimezie Godfrey
Troops of Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have intercepted three disassembled canoes reportedly procured by notorious terrorist leader Shehu Bagewaye to facilitate the movement of his fighters through riverine areas of Zamfara State.
The operation, conducted on August 23, 2026, followed credible intelligence that Bagewaye had arranged for the canoes to be procured from Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State and moved into Zamfara.
According to the intelligence, the canoes were intended to help the terrorists overcome river obstacles restricting their movement and improve their mobility for attacks and other criminal activities against vulnerable communities.
Acting on the information, troops of Sector 2 conducted a covert operation along identified routes and successfully intercepted the three disassembled canoes while they were being transported to their intended destination.
The individuals conveying the items reportedly abandoned them and fled after sighting the troops.
The recovered canoes have been taken into military custody, while troops have intensified efforts to track down those involved in the attempted movement.
The interception, according to the Joint Task Force, underscores the growing impact of intelligence-led operations under Operation FANSAN YAMMA in disrupting terrorist logistics and denying criminal elements the resources needed to expand their mobility and operational reach.
The task force said it remained committed to identifying and dismantling terrorist networks, disrupting their logistics and restricting their freedom of movement before they can threaten communities.
The Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security forces.
He said sustained cooperation between communities and security agencies remained critical to preventing terrorist activities and safeguarding lives and property across the Joint Operations Area.