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Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued four kidnapped victims during a renewed offensive against notorious bandit leader Kachalla Muhammadu Fulani and his criminal network in Katsina State.
The operation, conducted under Operation CLEAN SWEEP III, forms part of ongoing efforts by security forces to dismantle terrorist enclaves and restore peace in communities affected by banditry across the state.
Military authorities disclosed that troops of the 17 Brigade Strike Group and Quick Response Force, supported by personnel of the 8 Division Special Forces, launched a coordinated assault on terrorists\' hideouts in Fafu Village along the Matazu-Musawa axis on Tuesday.
The ground operation was preceded by Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions carried out by the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, which helped identify the terrorists\' camp and provided critical intelligence for the assault.
Upon reaching the hideout, troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle. Overwhelmed by superior firepower, the criminals reportedly fled the area in disarray, abandoning their camp and several captives.
During a subsequent exploitation of the camp, soldiers successfully rescued four abducted victims who had been held by the bandits.
The victims were immediately evacuated to the Forward Operating Base in Matazu, where they were received by the General Officer Commanding 8 Division and Commander, Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General B.P. Koughna.
The senior military officer reassured the rescued victims of their safety and reiterated the Armed Forces\' commitment to eliminating criminal elements and restoring security across Katsina State and neighbouring areas.
Military sources revealed that some of the victims sustained gunshot wounds inflicted by their captors during their period in captivity. They were promptly given emergency medical attention before being transferred to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, for specialised treatment.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the victims were abducted on April 14, 2026, along the Matazu-Karaduwa Road near Sabon Sara and had remained in captivity for over two months.
The Army further disclosed that the rescued victims were held in the same captivity location where late Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd.) and his wife were reportedly detained by the bandits.
Security forces said efforts are ongoing to track down Kachalla Muhammadu Fulani, who is believed to be one of the key figures behind a series of kidnappings and violent attacks in the region.
Troops have continued to intensify offensive operations across identified bandit strongholds, targeting criminal camps, logistics routes and hideouts used by terrorist groups.
Military authorities reaffirmed that operations would continue until all those responsible for acts of terror, kidnapping and violence against innocent citizens are apprehended or neutralised.
The Nigerian Army, working in collaboration with other security agencies, maintained that it remains determined to deny terrorists and bandits any safe haven while sustaining pressure on criminal networks operating across the North-West.
