Army: Troops killed 79 bandits, rescued 290 kidnap victims in Katsina in first half of 2026
Troops of the 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, under Operation Fansan Yamma, reportedly killed 79 bandits in Katsina state between January and July this year.
According to the army, the troops also rescued 290 kidnap victims and recovered more than 2,200 rustled livestock during sustained operations within the period.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, M.I. Ibrahim, the brigade commander, relayed this on Tuesday while briefing defence correspondents during an operational tour of the brigade headquarters in Katsina.
Ibrahim said the brigade sustained pressure on armed groups through intelligence-led operations, coordinated air and ground assaults, and collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC).
“Our troops have continued to maintain an aggressive operational posture against terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements,” he said.
“These efforts have produced measurable results and significantly reduced terrorist activities across our area of responsibility.”
The brigade commander said troops 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 groups during the review period.
“According to operational statistics presented by the brigade, terrorist-related incidents dropped from 46 recorded attacks during the same period in 2025 to 38 incidents in 2026, representing a 17.39 per cent reduction,” Makama said.
“Similarly, attempted attacks on isolated communities declined from 30 to 18, cattle rustling cases dropped from 45 to 30, while kidnapping incidents reduced from 49 to 32 within the review period.
“Ibrahim attributed the improvements to sustained offensive operations that denied terrorists freedom of movement across frontline local government areas including Matazu, Musawa, Malumfashi, Danmusa, Kankara, Faskari, Funtua, Dandume and Sabuwa.”
Makama said one of the major operations took place on May 8 around Dikkawa in Matazu LGA, where troops, supported by the KSCWC, dislodged suspected terrorists hiding among rocky outcrops.
During the operation, troops killed two suspected terrorists, recovered two AK-47 rifles, 15 magazines, ammunition, military equipment and 10 motorcycles, rescued 32 kidnapped victims, and recovered 26 livestock.
Makama reported that an intelligence-led operation on June 22 at Ginchawa in Matazu killed two suspected terrorists and led to the recovery of weapons, ammunition, motorcycles, communication equipment, livestock and camouflage uniforms.
The publication also said Operation Clean Sweep III, launched after the abduction of Abubakar Rabe, a retired major-general, and his wife, 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 the recovery of weapons and hundreds of rustled livestock.
Makama added that troops later recovered 318 rustled animals and rescued another kidnap victim during operations in Fafu forest.
The commander said the brigade would continue offensive operations until criminal hideouts across Katsina state were dismantled.
He noted that the “objective remains clear—to eliminate terrorist hideouts, rescue innocent citizens, restore public confidence and create a secure environment for socio-economic activities to flourish”.
katsina state
Nigerian Army
Operation Fansan Yamma
troops
