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Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have launched a major offensive against terrorist and bandit groups in parts of Katsina State following the killing of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar.
The operation, codenamed Operation CLEAN SWEEP III, commenced on June 14 and is targeting criminal elements operating in Matazu Local Government Area and adjoining communities, according to a statement issued on Monday by the task force’s Media Information Officer, Lt.-Col. Aliyu Danja.
Danja said the operation was launched to track down and neutralise those responsible for the abduction and killing of the retired military officer, who was reportedly kidnapped alongside his wife by suspected terrorists and bandits.
He explained that troops had intensified offensive operations through fighting patrols, intelligence-led raids, cordon-and-search missions and clearance operations across identified terrorist hideouts and criminal enclaves within the area of operation.
According to the statement, troops recorded significant gains during operations in the Dikkawa Hills area and surrounding communities.
The military said clearance missions were conducted in Adua, Nasarawa and Karaduwa, where suspected terrorist hideouts and logistics bases were discovered and destroyed, disrupting the operational capabilities of the criminal groups.
Danja noted that the offensive was being carried out in collaboration with other security agencies and local stakeholders to improve security and restore stability in the affected areas.
He assured residents of Matazu and neighbouring communities of the military’s commitment to protecting lives and property while denying terrorists and bandits freedom of movement.
The spokesman also urged members of the public to provide credible and timely information to security agencies, assuring that such information would be handled confidentially.
He added that troops would sustain pressure on criminal elements until the objectives of the operation were achieved, with further updates to be provided as the exercise progresses.
