Troops destroy terrorist hideouts in Katsina as operation clean sweep III begins
By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have commenced a major attack against terrorists and bandits in Katsina State, destroying several criminal hideouts in the process.
The operation, code-named Operation Clean Sweep III, was launched in Matazu Local Government Area and nabhouring communities following the killing of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, who was abducted alongside his wife by suspected terrorists and bandits.
According to the Joint Task Force, the offensive is aimed at tracking and neutralising those responsible for the attack, dismantling criminal networks and restoring security across affected communities.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Media Information Officer of the task force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, troops have sustained aggressive operations since June 14, 2026, through fighting patrols, intelligence-driven raids, cordon-and-search exercises and clearance missions across identified terrorist enclaves disclosing that troops recorded significant operational successes in the Dikkawa Hills general area and surrounding communities.
He stated that clearance operations were carried out in Adua, Nasarawa and Karaduwa, where several terrorist hideouts and criminal enclaves were searched and cleared.
According to him, troops also discovered and destroyed terrorists logistics bases and life-support structures, thereby weakening their operational capabilities within the area.
“The destruction of these facilities has significantly degraded the criminals’ ability to sustain operations in the affected communities,” he said.
The task force noted that the operation is being conducted in collaboration with sister security services, other law enforcement agencies and local stakeholders saying the support of these partners has continued to strengthen efforts to improve security and curb criminal activities in the state.
Reassuring residents of Matazu and neighbouring communities, the theatre command stated that troops remain committed to safeguarding law-abiding citizens and denying terrorists freedom of movement while urging members of the public to provide credible and timely intelligence that could aid security agencies in tracking and apprehending criminal elements.
It further added that all information received from the public would be treated with strict confidentiality affirming that troops would sustain pressure on terrorists and bandits until all operational objectives are fully achieved.