Five soldiers and one police officer were killed when troops were ambushed by militants in northwestern Nigeria on Monday, the army said on Tuesday.

Troops traveling to respond to an attack on a village in Zamfara State were themselves attacked, the military said. It was not clear which group carried out the attack.

The army said it arrested three suspects and killed four militants following a raid on some communities in Zamfara between January 17 and January 19.

In a statement by David Adewusi, Media information Officer, Operation FANSAN YAMMA on Tuesday, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), Joint Task Force North West, have demonstrated exceptional bravery, professionalism, and resilience following a terrorist ambush along the Bingi–Kekun Waje–Gusau Road in Zamfara State on 19 January 2026.

According to the statement, the ambush followed a series of successful offensive operations conducted from 17th to 19th January 2026, when troops of Sector 2 OPFY, in conjunction with the OPFY Mobile Strike Team and DIA Tactical Support Team, carried out coordinated raids, ambushes, and fighting patrols.

This was done across Birnin Magaji and Anka areas of Zamfara State. During these operations, three suspects—Isiya Kwakwatawa, Ibrahim Dan Musulu, and Makau Lamba Goma—were arrested, while four terrorists were neutralised and others fled into the forest. Items recovered included 1 PKT machine gun, 5 AK-47 rifles, 3 Ak 47 magazines, other items are rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, Baofeng radios,3 motorcycles.

While returning from these operations and responding to a distress call on terrorist reprisal attack , troops of OPFY Combat Team 1, came under attack by terrorists at Gidan Wagni while en route to Kekun Waje. Despite the surprise of the ambush, the troops responded gallantly, engaging the terrorists and preventing further harm to nearby communities. Regrettably, five soldiers and one police officer paid the supreme sacrifice during the encounter.

The combined force mounted a robust counter-ambush which forced the terrorists to withdraw, with credible intelligence indicating that notorious bandits kingpin JANWUYA and ALHAJI BELLO the 2iC to KACHALLA SOJA seriously injured during the encountered some of the fleeing elements sustained gunshot injuries.

The Theatre Commander condoled with commander sector 2 on the loss and further commended the troops for their courage, sacrifice, and professionalism.

He also encouraged members of the public to remain calm and continue to support ongoing security efforts through timely and credible information.