Friday, June 19, 2026 -Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued a kidnap victim found in chains inside the notorious Fafu Forest and dismantled terror hideouts during ongoing clearance operations in Katsina State.
The Army disclosed this in a statement on Friday, June 19,
2026.
According to the statement, troops of the Operation CLEAN
SWEEP intensified offensives in Katsina State, with units from 17 Brigade and 8
Division Special Forces clearing terrorist strongholds around Tuga in Matazu
LGA.
Backed by intelligence, surveillance and air strikes from
Operation FANSAN YAMMA, the forces recovered 36 cattle, 280 sheep and 2
donkeys, cutting off a key revenue source for the criminal groups.
Pushing into the notorious Fafu Forest, troops destroyed
several terrorist camps and logistics sites after coordinated aerial and
artillery bombardments.
During exploitation, they found a hideout linked to a
notorious terrorist leader, recovering two bodies and rescuing one kidnapped
victim, Nura Yar’Adua, who was found in chains.
He received first aid and was evacuated to the Federal
Teaching Hospital Katsina.
"Troops of the Nigerian Army during Operation CLEAN SWEEP have intensified offensive actions in Katsina State, delivering decisive blows against terrorist elements through sustained, intelligence-driven operations,” the statement read.
"These efforts, executed by troops of 17 Brigade Strike
Group and Quick Response Force alongside elements of 8 Division Special Forces,
underscore the Army’s resolve to dismantle criminal enclaves, disrupt terrorist
supply networks and restore safety across affected communities in the
North-West.
"On the fourth day of the operation, troops carried out
a well-coordinated clearance mission targeting terrorist strongholds in and
around Tuga, within Matazu Local Government Area.
"Leveraging real-time Intelligence, Surveillance and
Reconnaissance support, complemented by precision strikes from the Air
Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, clearing several settlements.
"During the operation, troops recovered a large number of rustled livestock believed to have been stolen by terrorists, including 36 cattle, 280 sheep and 2 donkeys.
"This recovery represents a major disruption to the economic lifelines of the criminal groups, whose activities are largely sustained through cattle rustling and related illicit enterprises.
"Sustaining the operational momentum, troops advanced
further into the notorious Fafu Forest, applying the Relentless Incursion
strategy aimed at denying terrorists safe havens.
"Following coordinated aerial and artillery
bombardments on identified targets, troops converged within the objective area,
engaging and destroying several terrorist camps and concealed hideouts embedded
within difficult terrain.
"In the course of exploitation, the troops uncovered a
hideout linked to a notorious terrorist leader, where kidnapped victims were
being held under harsh conditions.
"Two lifeless bodies were recovered at the site, while
one victim, identified as Nura Yar’Adua, was found in chains and successfully
rescued.
"He was immediately given first aid before being
evacuated to the Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina for advanced medical care.
"Further assessments confirmed the effectiveness of the
operation, with terrorist logistics structures destroyed and clear signs of
enemy casualties observed within the targeted locations, indicating a
significant degradation of their operational capability.
"The Nigerian Army remains steadfast in its mission to
defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation.
"We call on members of the public to continue
supporting security agencies with credible and timely information.
“Recall that the fight against insecurity is a collective
responsibility, we shall collectively address all threats to peace and
stability."
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