Troops Kill 50 Terrorists, Capture Stronghold in Zamfara

Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed at least 50 terrorists and taken control of Tungan Fulani Hills, a notorious stronghold in Zamfara State. The operation, codenamed Fansar Yan Bindiga, resulted in a fierce battle that left at least 25 other terrorists injured, including top commanders loyal to Bello Turji and Sani Black.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counterinsurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, those killed in the operation included Kachallah Sanni Bammuwa, Kachallah Auta, Audu Gajere, Kabiru Jangeru, Dan-Gajere (son of Audu Jabbi), and Bako Malaika, a well-known terrorist operating around Tungan Dan Musa.

This marks the first time in years that the military has successfully penetrated and taken control of Tungan Fulani Hills, an area long held by terrorists in the Zurmi-Shinkafi axis. The report states that five previous attempts to enter the valley had failed due to stiff resistance, resulting in casualties and damage to military equipment.

The area has been a stronghold for terrorist groups, gaining notoriety after a deadly ambush in 2019 when fighters loyal to Turji and Sani Black killed a major and 16 soldiers en route to a troop rotation in Mashema village. Following the attack, the military withdrew from the Mashema district, leaving the region under terrorist control. More recently, on August 30, 2024, Turji and Sani Black’s fighters launched another assault on troops in Kwashebawa village, destroying mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles and killing two soldiers.

Following the successful recapture of Tungan Fulani Hills, defence officials have declared an intensified offensive under Operation Show No Mercy. A senior military source quoted in the report emphasized the mission’s objective: complete elimination of terrorist threats.

“The time for hiding is over. Bello Turji, Sani Black, and their fighters must either surrender unconditionally or face total annihilation. There will be no negotiations, no safe havens, and no escape routes,” the source stated.

Military intelligence suggests that the hills were being used by the terrorists to store weapons, plan ambushes, and conduct kidnappings along major roads. The location also serves as a key route for arms smuggling from Niger Republic and Mali. With the military now in control, their supply chain and escape routes have been disrupted.

Security forces are urging local communities to report suspicious activity and avoid aiding fleeing terrorists. A senior military official reaffirmed the army’s commitment to eradicating terrorism in the North-West, stating that Operation Show No Mercy will continue until every terrorist camp is destroyed and every fugitive is brought to justice.