Army Raids Terrorist Hideouts After General Rabe Abubakar’s Death In Katsina

The Defence Headquarters’ Joint Task Force North West, under Operation Fansan Yamma, has launched a major offensive against terrorists and bandits operating in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State and neighbouring communities.

The operation, codenamed Operation Clean Sweep III, followed the abduction and death of a retired Major General, Rabe Abubakar, who was kidnapped alongside his wife by suspected terrorists and bandits in the area.

The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North West Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.

According to the statement, the operation commenced on June 14, 2026, with a mandate to locate and neutralise those behind the attack, dismantle criminal networks and restore security in the affected communities.

The late senior military officer was buried on Sunday at about 6pm at the Gidan Dawa Cemetery, opposite his residence in Katsina metropolis.

His burial followed funeral prayers attended by a large crowd of mourners, including family members, associates and sympathisers.

The death of the retired general had generated public concern, with many Nigerians calling for stronger action against terrorists, bandits and kidnapping gangs operating in parts of the North-West.

The military said troops had, since the launch of the operation, carried out aggressive fighting patrols, intelligence-led raids, cordon-and-search operations and clearance missions.

The operations, according to the statement, were conducted across identified terrorist hideouts and suspected criminal enclaves within the Joint Operations Area.

The statement added that troops recorded significant successes during operations around Dikkawa Hills and nearby communities.

“Clearance missions conducted in Adua, Nasarawa, and Karaduwa led to the discovery and destruction of several terrorist hideouts, logistics bases, and other life-support structures used by the criminal groups, further weakening their operational capabilities,” the statement said.

The Joint Task Force said Operation Clean Sweep III was designed to deny terrorists and bandits freedom of movement in Matazu and surrounding communities.

It added that the offensive would also target logistics routes, hideouts and other support structures used by criminal groups to carry out attacks, abductions and other violent activities.

The military said the operation was being conducted in collaboration with sister services, other security agencies and local stakeholders.

According to the statement, the support of local stakeholders had been helpful in ongoing efforts to improve security in Katsina State.

The Theatre Command reassured residents of Matazu and nearby communities of its commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens.

It said troops would continue to take the fight to terrorists and bandits until the objectives of the operation were achieved.

The command urged residents to remain calm and support security agencies with credible information that could help track and arrest criminal elements.

It assured members of the public that all information provided to security agencies would be treated with confidentiality.

Offensive to continue

The military said troops would sustain pressure on terrorists and bandits across the affected areas.

It added that further updates would be provided as the operation progressed.

The command maintained that Operation Clean Sweep III would continue until criminal hideouts were dismantled and communities affected by banditry and terrorism were made safer for residents.