The Nigerian Army has launched a major military offensive in Katsina State following the tragic abduction and murder of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar.
The military campaign, code-named Operation CLEAN SWEEP III, commenced on June 14, 2026. Spearheaded by the Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, the crackdown targets terrorist and bandit enclaves across the Matazu Local Government Area and neighbouring communities.
According to an official statement released on June 15 by Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, the Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force, the operation was directly triggered by the recent abduction of Major General Abubakar (Rtd) and his wife by suspected terrorists, an incident that ultimately led to the retired general’s death.
The primary objectives of the mission are to track down and neutralise the perpetrators, dismantle criminal networks, and restore stability to the traumatised communities.
In the opening days of the offensive, troops have deployed a mix of intelligence-led raids, aggressive fighting patrols, and cordon-and-search operations. Significant breakthroughs have already been reported in the Dikkawa Hills general area.
Military forces successfully cleared several identified terrorist hideouts, sweeping through the communities of Adua, Nasarawa, and Karaduwa.
Operational Impact: During these sweeps, troops discovered and destroyed multiple logistics bases and life-support structures belonging to the terrorists, severely degrading their operational capabilities in the region.
The Theatre Command emphasised that the ongoing operation relies heavily on close collaboration with sister military services, alternative security agencies, and local community stakeholders.
While reassuring law-abiding citizens of Matazu and the surrounding areas of their safety, Lieutenant Colonel Danja urged the public to assist by providing timely, credible intelligence to the forces.
“All information received will be treated with the utmost confidentiality,” Danja stated, adding that troops will sustain aggressive pressure on the criminal elements until all operational objectives are met.
The military has promised regular updates as the offensive progresses.
