Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have taken the battle to bandits in a major offensive called Operation CLEAN SWEEP III, destroying the camps of terrorists in Matazu Local Government Area, Katsina State. The mission was launched after retired Major General Rabe Abubakar and his wife were abducted by bandits. Subsequently, General Abubakar died in the captivity of the bandits, who in boldness handed over the body of the dead Army General for burial.

The death of the General provoked severe military action to redeem the image of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Apparently, Operation CLEAN SWEEP III was made to hunt the bandits, break the terrorists networks, and restore order to the communities that have been living under threat.

The soldiers have sustained aggressive fighting patrols, intelligence raids, cordon-and-search sweeps, and clearance missions targeting known hideouts. The focus has been on places where bandits and terrorists were believed to be regrouping, with local stakeholders and other security agencies working closely alongside the troops to share information and coordinate efforts.

The Dikkawa Hills and nearby communities have already seen notable results. In Adua, Nasarawa, and Karaduwa, troops combed through several criminal enclaves and uncovered terrorist life-support structures and logistics bases. Those sites were destroyed on the spot, cutting off supply lines and making it harder for the groups to operate freely in the area. Each cleared hideout pushed the operation closer to its main objective.

The Theatre Command said the campaign will continue until the job is done. They’re reassuring residents of Matazu and neighboring towns that protecting law-abiding citizens remains the top priority. By keeping pressure on the criminals and denying them freedom of action, the joint force aims to give communities back a sense of normalcy and security.

Operation FANSAN YAMMA is also calling on the public to help. Residents are urged to share credible, timely information about terrorist or bandit activity, with full confidentiality guaranteed.
Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer, confirmed that troops will stay on the offensive until the perpetrators are neutralized.