Troops Launch Offensive Against Terrorists in Katsina After Killing of Retired General
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have launched a major offensive operation against terrorist and bandit groups operating in parts of Katsina State following the killing of retired Maj.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar.
The operation, code-named Operation CLEAN SWEEP III, is targeting criminal elements within Matazu Local Government Area and adjoining communities, according to a statement issued on Monday by the Media Information Officer of the task force, Lt.-Col. Aliyu Danja.
Danja said the operation commenced on June 14 and was aimed at locating and neutralising those responsible for the abduction and killing of the retired senior military officer, who was reportedly abducted alongside his wife by suspected terrorists and bandits.
He said troops had since intensified offensive actions through aggressive fighting patrols, intelligence-led raids, cordon-and-search operations and clearance missions across identified terrorist hideouts and criminal enclaves within the joint operations area.
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According to him, troops recorded significant successes during operations conducted in the Dikkawa Hills general area and surrounding communities.
“Troops carried out 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,” he said.
The spokesman said the offensive was being conducted in collaboration with sister security services, other security agencies and local stakeholders to improve security and stability across the state.
He reassured residents of Matazu and neighbouring communities of the military’s commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens and denying terrorists and bandits freedom of action.
Danja urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies, assuring that all information received would be treated confidentially.
He said troops would sustain pressure on criminal elements until all operational objectives were achieved.
“Further updates will be provided as the operation progresses,” he added.