Nigerian army frees four kidnapping victims in raid on notorious bandit leader Kachalla Muhammadu Fulani

The Nigerian army announced that its Operation Clean Sweep III has achieved another significant milestone in the ongoing counter‑banditry campaign in Katsina State.

In a statement posted on its official social media account, the army said that troops had rescued four kidnapped victims during a sustained offensive aimed at the notorious bandit leader Kachalla Muhammadu Fulani and his criminal network.

The operation involved the 17 Brigade Strike Group/Quick Response Force, supported by the 8 Division Special Forces, which launched a deliberate assault to clear terrorist hideouts in Fafu Village along the Matazu‑Musawa axis.

Prior to the ground assault, the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA carried out Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions over the area, allowing troops to accurately identify and dominate the terrorists’ enclave.

“Troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them with overwhelming firepower. Unable to withstand the troops’ aggressive offensive, the terrorists fled in disarray and abandoned their camp and captives. Subsequent exploitation of the camp led to the rescue of four abducted victims,” the statement read.

The rescued victims were immediately evacuated to Forward Operating Base Matazu, where they were received by the General Officer Commanding 8 Division and Commander Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General BP Koughna. He reassured them of their safety and reaffirmed the troops’ commitment to restoring peace and security across the state.

Some of the victims, who had sustained gunshot wounds inflicted by their abductors during captivity, received immediate medical attention and were subsequently transferred to the Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina for expert care.

Preliminary investigations, according to the statement, revealed that the victims were abducted on 14 April 2026 from Sabon Sara along the Matazu‑Karaduwa Road and were held in captivity alongside the late Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd) and his wife.

The army said that its troops remain on the trail of Kachalla Muhammadu Fulani and other criminal elements and will continue to sustain aggressive operations until all those responsible for acts of terror against innocent citizens are apprehended or neutralised.