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 during ongoing clearance operations.
The military said the operation, codenamed Operation CLEAN SWEEP III, commenced on June 14, 2026, following the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, who was abducted alongside his wife by suspected terrorists in the area.
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 by the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, troops have been carrying out aggressive fighting patrols, intelligence-led raids, cordon-and-search operations, and clearance missions across identified terrorist enclaves within the Joint Operations Area.
Danja said troops recorded significant successes in the Dikkawa Hills area and neighbouring communities, where several terrorist hideouts were discovered and destroyed.
“Since the commencement of the operation on 14 June 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,” he said.
He added that clearance operations were conducted in Adua, Nasarawa and Karaduwa communities, leading to the destruction of terrorists’ support structures.
