No fewer than five soldiers and a police inspector were killed on Monday when suspected bandits ambushed security personnel in Zamfara State.

Channels Television gathered that the victims, who were attached to Operation Fansan Yamma, were on pass and travelling from Bingi–Kwatarkwashi to Gusau when the attack occurred.

A top security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, confirmed the incident.

According to the source, the security personnel were ambushed by armed bandits at Kekun village, along the Kwatarkwashi axis in Bungudu Local Government Area of the state.

The police officer, identified as Inspector Ibrahim, and the five soldiers were reportedly shot dead during the attack, while several other personnel sustained gunshot injuries.

The injured officers, alongside the bodies of the deceased, were taken to Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau, where the wounded are currently receiving treatment and the corpses deposited at the hospital morgue.

The Military has confirmed the ambush in a statement released by Media information Officer, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Captain David Adewusi, on Tuesday.

He said the ambush followed a series of successful offensive operations conducted from 17 to 19 January 2026 by the troops of Sector 2 OPFY, in conjunction with the OPFY Mobile Strike Team and DIA Tactical Support Team.

“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 statement said.