Troops Rescue Four Abductees, Targets Bandit Kingpin in Katsina
Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation CLEAN SWEEP III have rescued four kidnapped victims during a sustained offensive against criminal networks linked to a notorious bandit kingpin, Kachalla Muhammadu Fulani, in Katsina State.
The operation, carried out on 16 June 2026, involved troops of the 17 Brigade Strike Group/Quick Response Force, supported by personnel of the 8 Division Special Forces, in a coordinated assault on terrorist hideouts in Fafu Village along the Matazu–Musawa axis.
Prior to the ground operation, the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA conducted intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions over the area, providing actionable intelligence that enabled troops to accurately locate and engage the bandits’ enclave.
Upon contact, troops engaged the criminals with superior firepower, forcing them to flee in disarray and abandon their camp as well as the abducted victims.
Following the clearance of the camp, troops successfully rescued four hostages who were immediately evacuated to the Forward Operating Base in Matazu.
The rescued victims were received by the General Officer Commanding 8 Division and Commander Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General B.P. Koughna, who reassured them of their safety and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustained operations against banditry in the state.
Some of the victims, who reportedly sustained gunshot injuries inflicted by their abductors during captivity, were given immediate medical attention before being moved to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, for further treatment.
Preliminary findings revealed that the victims were abducted on 14 April 2026 from Sabon Sara along the Matazu–Karaduwa road and had been held alongside other high-profile captives, including the late Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd) and his wife.
The Nigerian Army said troops have continued aggressive pursuit operations aimed at capturing or neutralising Kachalla Muhammadu Fulani and dismantling his criminal network across the region.
It reaffirmed its commitment, in collaboration with other security agencies, to deny terrorists and bandits any safe haven within the country.