Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have destroyed several terrorist hideouts and logistics bases in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State during a major clearance operation.
The offensive, codenamed Operation CLEAN SWEEP III, which began on June 14, 2026, came days after the tragic death in captivity of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, who was abducted alongside his wife in the area. Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, said in a statement on Monday that troops conducted aggressive fighting patrols, intelligence-led raids, cordon-and-search operations, and clearance missions across identified criminal enclaves. Significant successes were recorded in the Dikkawa Hills and neighbouring communities, where terrorists’ life-support structures and logistics bases were discovered and destroyed. Clearance operations also took place in Adua, Nasarawa, and Karaduwa communities.
Danja said the operations further degraded the criminals’ ability to operate in 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,” he added. The exercise is being carried out in collaboration with other security agencies and local stakeholders.
This operation comes amid heightened security concerns in Katsina and other North-West states, where banditry and terrorism have led to loss of lives and displacement of communities. The timing, following the death of the retired general, signals a renewed determination by the military to respond decisively to threats in the region. Residents have been urged to continue providing credible intelligence to security forces, as the military vowed to sustain pressure on criminal elements until the objectives of the operation are fully achieved.
The development highlights the military’s shift towards proactive, intelligence-driven offensives aimed at dismantling not just fighters but their entire support infrastructure. Security analysts view such clearance operations as critical in denying bandits safe havens and disrupting their supply lines, which could reduce the frequency of abductions and attacks. However, experts caution that long-term success depends on sustained presence, community engagement, and addressing root causes like poverty and unemployment that fuel recruitment into criminal groups.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda and other stakeholders have welcomed the operation, calling for similar actions across affected areas. As troops intensify efforts, there are expectations of improved security and gradual return of displaced persons to their communities. The success of Operation CLEAN SWEEP III could serve as a model for other theatres in the North-West, contributing to broader national efforts to restore peace and stability.
