General Rabe Abubakar: Military Launches Offensive in Katsina

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, operating under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have begun 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, started on June 14 and is focused on criminal elements in Matazu Local Government Area and nearby communities, according to a statement released on Monday by the task force’s Media Information Officer, Lt.-Col. Aliyu Danja.

Danja said the offensive aims to locate and neutralise those responsible for the abduction and killing of the retired military officer, who was reportedly kidnapped with his wife by suspected terrorists and bandits.

He explained that troops have intensified 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.

The statement noted significant gains in the Dikkawa Hills area and surrounding communities.

The military conducted clearance missions 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 added that the offensive is 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 the public to provide credible and timely information to security agencies, assuring that such information would be handled confidentially.

He added that troops will sustain pressure on criminal elements until the objectives of the operation are achieved, with further updates to be provided as the exercise progresses.