Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have launched a major offensive against terrorists and bandits in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, destroying several criminal hideouts and logistics bases as part of ongoing clearance operations.
The military disclosed that the operation, codenamed Operation CLEAN SWEEP III, commenced on June 14, 2026, following the abduction of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar and his wife by suspected terrorists in the area. Abubakar later died while in captivity.
According to the Joint Task Force, the operation is aimed at tracking down those responsible for the attack, dismantling criminal networks, and restoring security across affected communities.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said troops have been conducting aggressive fighting patrols, intelligence-led raids, cordon-and-search operations, and clearance missions across identified terrorist enclaves within the Joint Operations Area.
He noted that significant successes had been recorded in the Dikkawa Hills area and neighbouring communities, where several terrorist hideouts were discovered and destroyed.
“Since the commencement of the operation on June 14, 2026, troops have conducted aggressive fighting patrols, intelligence-led raids, cordon-and-search operations, and clearance missions across identified criminal hideouts and suspected terrorist enclaves within the Joint Operations Area,” Danja said.
He added that clearance operations carried out in the communities of Adua, Nasarawa, and Karaduwa led to the destruction of terrorists’ support structures and logistics bases.
“During the operations, terrorists’ life-support structures and logistics bases were discovered and destroyed, further degrading the criminals’ ability to operate within the area,” he stated.
Danja further explained that the operation is being executed in collaboration with other security agencies and local stakeholders to strengthen ongoing security efforts across Katsina State.
“The operation is being conducted in close collaboration with sister services, other security agencies, and local stakeholders whose support continues to contribute significantly to efforts aimed at improving security within the state,” he said.
The military reassured residents of Matazu and surrounding communities of its commitment to safeguarding lives and property while denying terrorists and bandits freedom of operation within the region.
“The Theatre Command wishes to reassure the good people of Matazu Local Government Area and neighbouring communities that troops remain committed to protecting law-abiding citizens and denying terrorists and bandits freedom of action within the region,” Danja added.
He also urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely intelligence to security agencies, assuring them that all information received would be treated with strict confidentiality.
According to him, troops will sustain pressure on criminal elements until the objectives of the operation are fully achieved, with further updates to be provided as the operation progresses.
Meanwhile, the Katsina State Government on Saturday confirmed the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, stating that he died in captivity from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension.
