he Nigerian military has launched a major offensive operation aimed at dismantling terrorist and criminal networks operating across the North-West region.
The offensive, codenamed Operation CLEAN SWEEP IV, is being conducted by the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, with coordinated ground and air operations targeting terrorist positions, movements and logistics networks.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, the operation is designed to intensify pressure on terrorists and armed criminal elements while preventing them from infiltrating and establishing operational footholds in communities across the region.
The military said the operation would combine ground assaults with air operations to degrade the capabilities of terrorist groups, disrupt their movements and logistics, and deny them access to areas they could use as bases for launching attacks.
The offensive has already resulted in intensified military activities in several parts of the North-West.
In Katsina State, troops of Sector 2 conducted a clearance operation on Wednesday, August 12, around suspected terrorist enclaves in Dutsinma Local Government Area.
The military said the operation mounted significant pressure on the terrorists, forcing them to abandon their positions and flee into surrounding bushes.
It added that the clearance operation was still ongoing in the general area.
In Zamfara State, the military said its Air Component conducted precision airstrikes against terrorists following credible intelligence about the movement and convergence of terrorists riding motorcycles in Anka Local Government Area.
The operation is expected to target routes and border areas that could be exploited by Lakurawa elements for movement, logistics and the establishment of terrorist enclaves.
The military also said it was targeting terrorist activities around the River Niger axis and the Kainji Lake National Park.
According to the statement, the objective is to prevent terrorist elements from turning the areas into platforms for projecting violence into neighbouring communities and other parts of the North-West.
The Theatre Command said the latest offensive demonstrates the military’s determination to maintain sustained pressure on terrorist groups and armed criminal networks operating in the region.
It said troops would continue operations aimed at protecting civilian communities, securing Nigeria’s territorial integrity and preventing terrorists from regrouping, reinforcing their ranks or establishing new operational bases.
“Operation CLEAN SWEEP IV” comes amid continuing security challenges across several North-West states, where terrorist and armed criminal groups have carried out attacks, abductions and other violent activities.
The Joint Task Force said it remained committed to degrading the operational capacity of the groups and restoring security across affected communities.
