Troops of Operation Savannah Shield foil a suspected terrorist advance from Zamfara into Niger State, recovering an AK-47 rifle, 398 rounds of ammunition and motorcycles.
Troops of Operation Savannah Shield have foiled an attempted advance by suspected terrorists from Zamfara State into Niger State, recovering an AK-47 rifle, 398 rounds of ammunition and several motorcycles.
The operation followed credible intelligence on the movement of about 200 suspected terrorists riding motorcycles towards Inana Village in Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to an operational report made available to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, troops of the 311 Army Reconnaissance Battalion and 18 Brigade Quick Response Forces engaged the suspected terrorists at Majai and Tungan Bisallah villages.
The troops reportedly forced the group to retreat during the encounter and recovered one AK-47 rifle, 395 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm NATO ammunition and three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The military also recovered one motorcycle and destroyed six others during the operation. One soldier was reportedly injured.
“In a related operation, troops responding to intelligence on terrorist activities mobilised towards Genu Village but made no contact with the fleeing terrorists,” the report stated.
The report also disclosed that troops of the 27 Task Force Brigade, working with the Civilian Joint Task Force, neutralised a suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) logistics courier and informant at Dallaballe Village in Gujba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The operation, conducted on August 10, followed intelligence on the activities of the suspected terrorist informant.
In Taraba State, troops of the 93 Battalion, alongside a Defence Intelligence Agency team, recovered an AK-47 rifle and 10 rounds of 5.45 x 39mm NATO ammunition from the residence of a suspected gunrunner in Bantaje, Wukari Local Government Area.
The recovery formed part of ongoing operations aimed at disrupting the supply of weapons to criminal and terrorist groups.
The report further said troops of Operation UDO KA raided a transport company in Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State following intelligence on the suspected movement of military camouflage and other military accoutrements.
The operation resulted in the arrest of five suspects and the seizure of a luxury bus belonging to the company.
Operation Savannah Shield was launched in February 2026 as a Joint Task Force North Central operation to tackle terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities across the region. The operation has since recorded arrests and weapons recoveries in Niger and neighbouring states.
The latest operation underscores the military’s continued reliance on intelligence-led patrols and coordinated deployments to disrupt terrorist movements and prevent armed groups from establishing operational footholds in vulnerable communities.
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