In a decisive victory against banditry and terrorism in Zamfara State, troops from the Nigerian Army’s Operation FANSAN have successfully captured the notorious Tungan Fulani Hills, killing more than 50 terrorists and dealing a significant blow to criminal networks in the region.
The operation, code-named FANSAR YAN BINDIGA, involved intense combat, during which the troops not only neutralized dozens of insurgents but also left at least 25 others critically injured.
Among the casualties were several high-profile commanders aligned with notorious bandit leaders Bello Turji and Sani Mai Nasara, also known as Sani Black.
According to counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, who reported on the operation Saturday, those killed included Kachallah Sanni Bammuwa, Kachallah Auta, Audu Gajere, Kabiru Jangeru, Dan-Gajere (son of Audu Jabbi), and Bako Malaika—a notorious figure linked to operations around Tungan Dan Musa.
This marks the first time in years that military forces have successfully breached and established control over Tungan Fulani Hills, a location previously considered an impregnable stronghold for terrorist groups operating within the Zurmi-Shinkafi corridor.
Prior military attempts to secure the area had met with fierce resistance. In fact, five separate efforts to access the valley ended in failure, resulting in both troop casualties and damage to military equipment.
The region gained infamy following a deadly 2019 ambush in which fighters loyal to Bello Turji and Sani Black killed a Major and 16 soldiers who were en route to relieve colleagues stationed in Mashema village. That attack forced the military to withdraw from the Mashema District, leaving the area under the control of terrorist factions.
In a related incident on August 30, 2024, the same terror groups launched another violent assault on Nigerian troops in Kwashebawa village. During that attack, insurgents destroyed Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and killed two soldiers, further cementing the region’s status as a volatile hotspot.