*Clear Zamfara Highway Of Explosive Threats, Recover Damaged Police Vehicle
*Repel Terrorists’ Attack On Forward Operating Base In Zamfara
TROOPS of Operation Savannah Shield have intercepted an armoured vehicle in Borgu Local Council of Niger State and arrested its driver for further investigation over documents presented during the movement of the vehicle.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the interception occurred about 12:30 p.m. on July 2, when troops of the 221 Battalion, conducting security operations, stopped the armoured vehicle at Wawa town.
According to the sources, the driver was unable to satisfactorily account for the movement of the vehicle and presented what he claimed was an End User Certificate purportedly issued by a top security agency.
The suspect reportedly told the troops that he was conveying the armoured vehicle to its owner in Abuja.
The authenticity of the document and legality of the vehicle’s movement were, however, being subjected to further verification by the relevant authorities.
Military sources said the driver and the armoured vehicle had been taken into custody, pending the outcome of investigations.
The interception was part of ongoing efforts by Operation Savannah Shield to monitor the movement of sensitive security assets, curb illegal arms-related activities and strengthen security across the North Central region.
Sources added that investigations were ongoing to determine ownership of the vehicle, verify the End User Certificate and establish whether all regulatory and security requirements were complied with before the vehicle’s movement.
In a related development, troops of the 1 Brigade successfully cleared the Bagega-Anka major supply route in Zamfara State of explosive threats, restoring safe movement along the road after a comprehensive route scanning operation.
The operation was carried out about 9:30a.m. on July 2, by the troops, in conjunction with a Quick Response Force (QRF) and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team.
Sources said the troops conducted a thorough route scanning exercise along the Bagega-Anka Main Supply Route (MSR) in Anka Local Council to detect and neutralise any improvised explosive devices (IEDs) or other explosive hazards.
At the conclusion of the operation, the route was confirmed free of explosive threats and subsequently reopened to vehicular traffic.
During the exercise, the troops also recovered a Nigeria Police Counter-Terrorism/Counter-Strike (NP CSK) vehicle that recently struck an improvised explosive device along the same route.
The operation was completed without incident and no casualties were recorded among the troops.
The route clearance was part of sustained counter-insurgency and counter-banditry efforts aimed at ensuring the safety of motorists, security personnel and residents travelling along strategic roads in Zamfara State.
Sources assured that troops will continue aggressive route clearance patrols and surveillance operations to deny criminal elements the opportunity to emplace explosive devices on major highways within the theatre of operations.
The soldiers also successfully repelled an attempted terrorist infiltration and attack on a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Bukuyyum Local Council of the state about 2:45p.m. on July 2, when suspected terrorists attempted to infiltrate and attack troops stationed at FOB Gwashi.
According to the sources, the troops responded with superior firepower, engaging the attackers in a fierce exchange of gunfire and forcing them to abandon the assault and retreat from the area.
Following the failed attack, reinforcement troops from the Forward Operating Bases at Gummi and Bukuyyum were immediately deployed to strengthen the position and support ongoing clearance operations and have since intensified surveillance and domination of the general area, while reinforcing defensive positions to prevent the terrorists from regrouping or launching further attacks.
It was gathered that no casualty was reported among the troops during the encounter, described as a demonstration of the troops’ operational readiness and determination to deny terrorist groups freedom of action across the operational area.
