Troops of the Joint Task Force under Operation Fansan Yamma in the North-West have destroyed terrorists’ and bandits’ hideouts in Matazu LGA of Katsina. This was disclosed by the spokesman for the operation, Aliyu Danja, in a statement on Monday.

He said the raid was an offensive code-named Operation Clean Sweep III.

“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 operation is aimed at locating and neutralising the perpetrators of the heinous act, dismantling criminal networks and restoring security within the affected communities,” he said.

Mr Danja noted that since the operation commenced on Sunday, troops have 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.

According to him, troops recorded notable successes in the Dikkawa Hills area and surrounding communities.

“Troops conducted 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 noted.

Mr Danja added that the operation was being conducted in close collaboration with sister services, other security agencies, and local stakeholders, whose support continues to contribute significantly to ongoing efforts to improve security in the state.

The theatre command of JTF Operation Fansan Yamma reassured Matazu residents   and neighbouring communities that troops remain committed to protecting law-abiding citizens and denying terrorists and bandits freedom of action within the region.

He urged the public to continue providing credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in tracking and apprehending terrorists and other criminal elements.

“All information received will be treated with utmost confidentiality. Troops will continue to sustain pressure on criminal elements until the operational objectives are fully achieved,” he added.