Army neutralises 79 terrorists, rescues 290 kidnap victims in Katsina

Troops of the 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army under Operation FANSAN YAMMA have neutralised 79 suspected terrorists, rescued 290 kidnapped victims and recovered 2,221 rustled livestock in sustained operations across Katsina State between January and July 2026.

The Commander of the 17 Brigade, Brigadier General M.I. Ibrahim, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing defence correspondents during an operational tour of the brigade headquarters in Katsina.

According to him, the brigade sustained pressure on terrorist groups through intelligence-led operations, coordinated air and ground offensives, and collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Katsina State Community Watch Corps.

“Our troops have continued to maintain an aggressive operational posture against terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements. These efforts have produced measurable results and significantly reduced terrorist activities across our area of responsibility,” Ibrahim said.

He said troops also arrested 18 suspected terrorist collaborators, recovered 23 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns, 528 rounds of PKT ammunition, 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 48 AK-47 magazines and 74 motorcycles allegedly used by criminal gangs.

The brigade commander said operational statistics showed a decline in security incidents compared to the same period in 2025. According to him, terrorist attacks dropped from 46 to 38, representing a 17.39 per cent reduction.

He added that attacks on isolated communities declined from 30 to 18, cattle rustling incidents reduced from 45 to 30, while kidnapping cases fell from 49 to 32 during the review period.

Ibrahim attributed the improvement to sustained military offensives across frontline local government areas, including Matazu, Musawa, Malumfashi, Danmusa, Kankara, Faskari, Funtua, Dandume and Sabuwa.

Highlighting some of the operations, the commander said troops, supported by the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, raided terrorist hideouts around Dikkawa in Matazu Local Government Area on May 8, killing two suspected terrorists and rescuing 32 kidnapped victims.

He said the operation also led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, 15 magazines, ammunition, military equipment, 10 motorcycles and 26 rustled livestock.

Ibrahim further disclosed that another intelligence-led operation carried out on June 22 at Ginchawa in Matazu resulted in the killing of two suspected terrorists and the recovery of two PKT machine guns, an AK-47 magazine, 75 rounds of linked 7.62mm NATO ammunition, a Dane gun, motorcycles, communication equipment, camouflage uniforms and rustled livestock.

The brigade commander also highlighted the success of Operation CLEAN SWEEP III, launched after the abduction of retired Major General R. Abubakar and his wife on May 30.

According to him, the joint operation involving the 17 Brigade, 8 Division Special Forces, the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA and other security agencies led to the recovery of the late general’s body, the rescue of his wife and other kidnap victims, the destruction of terrorist camps and logistics bases, and the recovery of weapons, communication equipment and hundreds of rustled animals.

He added that on June 17, troops intercepted and recovered 318 rustled animals, comprising 36 cattle, 280 sheep and two donkeys, while a separate operation in Fafu Forest resulted in the rescue of another kidnapped victim held in chains and the destruction of additional terrorist camps.