In a sustained effort to dismantle terrorist strongholds and restore peace in Zamfara State, troops of Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, have neutralised two terrorists and forced others to flee in disarray. The success followed a series of coordinated clearance operations targeting identified terrorist enclaves.
Details of the Zamfara Operation
Confirming the development yesterday, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West) Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, stated that the operations were launched in the early hours of May 4, 2026. They covered critical locations, including Maikwanuga village in Talata Mafara Local Government Area, and Aljumma, Gidan Dawa, Magami Didi, and Tungar Magaji villages in Maradun Local Government Area.
During the advance, troops engaged terrorists in Tungar Magaji with overwhelming firepower, neutralising two terrorists and forcing others to flee. Following the engagement, troops conducted a thorough search of the area, recovering one AK-47 rifle with a 30-round loaded magazine and one motorcycle. The operations are part of a sustained campaign to dismantle terrorist hideouts within the Bagega–Sunke forest corridor and ensure lasting security for affected communities.
Attack on Mourners in Plateau
However, many persons were feared killed, with several others wounded, after gunmen attacked mourners during a mass burial in Nding Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Council of Plateau State. The victims were said to have been attending the burial of eight persons killed in an earlier attack in the community on Tuesday night. The incident, according to sources, occurred yesterday afternoon as villagers gathered to conduct the burial rites.
It was gathered that the assailants, who had been observing the ceremony from surrounding hills, suddenly descended on the community and opened fire on mourners as they were digging graves. An eyewitness, Masara Kim, told reporters that about five communities were experiencing simultaneous attacks. Kim said the mourners had barely dug a shallow grave when the attackers struck, forcing them to hurriedly bury the bodies and flee for safety.
He added that a man was shot dead in his presence, noting that local defenders, armed with hunting rifles and locally-made weapons, were overwhelmed by the attackers. Kim said he narrowly escaped, adding that many residents fled the community as the gunmen advanced, while the exact casualty figure could not be ascertained due to the chaotic situation.
Community Reactions
When contacted, the Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, described the situation as “terrible,” adding that efforts were underway to rescue persons trapped in the area. A member of the community, Weng Christopher, who spoke to journalists, added that the assailants stormed the area and opened fire on unsuspecting victims.
According to him, five members of the same family were killed on the spot, while the other three residents of the community were also killed during the attack. Christopher lamented the increasing frequency of such incidents, describing the situation as alarming and distressing for residents.
Governor's Assurance
Meanwhile, Governor Caleb Mutfwang has assured the people of ending the spate of insecurity plaguing Plateau in recent times. Speaking when News Central’s Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, Kayode Akintemi, visited him, he stated: “We believe that there is a political motive behind it because the time has come when we must disaggregate the different tendencies within Nigeria.”
Speaking further, he declared: “I want to tell you that the homogeneous communities of the Middle Belt have quietly decided that in 2027, they will take their destinies into their hands, and many people will not be comfortable with it, particularly the political elite.”
