The Defence Headquarters has launched a fresh military offensive in Katsina State following the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, who reportedly died in captivity after being abducted by suspected bandits.
The operation, codenamed Operation Clean Sweep III, is being spearheaded by the Joint Task Force North West under Operation Fansan Yamma and is aimed at flushing out terrorists and criminal gangs operating in Matazu Local Government Area and neighbouring communities.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Media Information Officer of JTF North West, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, the military operation officially commenced on June 14, 2026.
The development comes just days after the confirmation of the death of retired Major General Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, who was kidnapped alongside his wife by armed criminals in the area.
Military intensifies offensive against criminal elements
The military said the operation is designed to identify and neutralise those responsible for recent attacks in the region, dismantle criminal networks and restore lasting peace to affected communities.
Since the commencement of the operation, troops have reportedly carried out a series of coordinated missions, including intelligence-driven raids, fighting patrols, cordon-and-search exercises and clearance operations across suspected terrorist hideouts and criminal enclaves.
According to the statement, security forces have already recorded notable successes in areas around the Dikkawa Hills and surrounding communities, although specific details of the operations were not disclosed.
Collaboration with security agencies and communities
The Defence Headquarters said the operation is being conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, sister services and local stakeholders whose support has been instrumental in ongoing efforts to improve security across Katsina State.
Military authorities reiterated their commitment to protecting residents and ensuring that terrorists and bandits are denied freedom of movement within the operational area.
The Theatre Command assured residents of Matazu and neighbouring communities that troops would remain on the ground until the objectives of the operation are fully achieved.
Residents urged to provide intelligence
As part of the counterterrorism campaign, the military appealed to members of the public to continue providing credible and timely intelligence that could assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending criminal elements.
The command assured citizens that all information supplied would be handled with strict confidentiality.
Military authorities further stated that pressure would be sustained on terrorist and bandit groups operating in the region, adding that updates on the progress of Operation Clean Sweep III would be released periodically.
The launch of the operation underscores renewed efforts by security forces to tackle rising insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West region, where communities continue to face threats from banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
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