By Ankeli Emmanuel (In Sokoto State)
Troops of Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA (JTF NW OPFY) have commenced a deliberate offensive operation, code-named Operation CLEAN SWEEP III, targeting terrorist and bandit elements operating within Matazu Local Government Area and adjoining communities in Katsina State, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Dania confirmed in a statement.
Danja, who is the Media Information Officer Joint Task Force (North West) Operation FANSAN YAMMA said
operation was launched following the unfortunate incident that led to the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar.
Recalled that Rabe who died in the hands of terrorists was abducted alongside his wife in Katsina state recently, a development that drew wide attention to the realty of worsening insecurity in Nigeria.
Giving further justification for the operation, Lt.Col. Danja said it is aimed at locating and neutralizing the perpetrators of the heinous act, dismantling criminal networks and restoring security within the affected communities.
"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 (JOA)".
The statement read in part, 'In the course of the ongoing offensive, troops recorded notable successes in the Dikkawa Hills general area and surrounding communities. Troops conducted clearance operations on identified terrorist hideouts in Adua, Nasarawa and Karaduwa areas, where several criminal enclaves were searched and combed. During the operations, terrorists' life-support structures and logistics bases were discovered and destroyed, further degrading the criminals' ability to operate within the area.
"The operation is being conducted in close collaboration with sister services, other security agencies and local stakeholders whose support continues to contribute significantly to ongoing efforts aimed at improving security within the state.
"The Theatre Command JTF OPFY 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".
While making passionate appeal to the general public, Lt. Col. Danja admonished members to continue providing credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in tracking and apprehending terrorists and criminal elements.
He reassured that all information received will be treated with utmost confidentiality, adding troops will continue to sustain pressure on criminal elements until the operational objectives are fully achieved. NNL.
