Troops launch “Operation CLEAN SWEEP III” after killing of retired general

Abdullateef Fowewe

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (JTF NW OPFY), have launched a deliberate offensive code-named “Operation CLEAN SWEEP III” targeting terrorist and bandit elements in Matazu Local Government Area and neighbouring communities in Katsina State.

A statement signed on Monday by Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said the operation was launched following “the unfortunate incident that led to the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, who was abducted alongside his wife by suspected terrorists and bandits in the area.”

The offensive, the statement added, aims at “locating and neutralising the perpetrators of the heinous act, dismantling criminal networks and restoring security within the affected communities.”

According to the statement, troops commenced the operation on 14 June 2026 and have since conducted “aggressive fighting patrols, intelligence-led raids, cordon-and-search operations and clearance missions” across identified criminal hideouts and suspected terrorist enclaves within the Joint Operations Area (JOA).

The statement said notable successes were recorded in the Dikkawa Hills general area and surrounding communities.

Troops reportedly “conducted clearance operations on identified terrorist hideouts in Adua, Nasarawa and Karaduwa areas,” where several criminal enclaves were searched and combed.

During the operations, the military discovered and destroyed “terrorists’ life-support structures and logistics bases,” further degrading the criminals’ ability to operate in the area.

Operation CLEAN SWEEP III is being conducted “in close collaboration with sister services, other security agencies and local stakeholders,” the statement said, noting that the support of these partners “continues to contribute significantly to ongoing efforts aimed at improving security within the state.”

The Theatre Command JTF OPFY reassured residents that troops remain committed to “protecting law-abiding citizens and denying terrorists and bandits freedom of action within the region.”

The statement also appealed to the public to continue providing “credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in tracking and apprehending terrorists and criminal elements,” assuring that “all information received will be treated with utmost confidentiality.”

The military said troops will “continue to sustain pressure on criminal elements until the operational objectives are fully achieved.”