By Mu’awuya Bala Idris, Katsina
Troops of the 17 Brigade, Nigerian Army, under Operation CLEAN SWEEP III, have recorded another significant operational success following an intelligence-led dawn raid on a suspected terrorist enclave at Ginchawa in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Acting on credible intelligence, the troops stormed the terrorists’ hideout in the early hours of Monday, June 22, 2026, catching the criminals by surprise.
The terrorists attempted to resist the assault but were overwhelmed by the troops’ superior firepower, forcing them to abandon their position and flee into the surrounding bushes.
In a statement issued by Captain Abayomi Adisa, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, the gallant troops immediately launched a hot pursuit of the fleeing terrorists along their withdrawal routes, maintaining pressure on them.
According to the statement, two terrorists were neutralised during the encounter, while several others are believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds, as traces of blood were discovered within the enclave and along the terrorists’ escape routes.
The statement added that following the successful operation, troops exploited the area and recovered a cache of weapons, ammunition, communication equipment and other logistics items.
Recovered items include two PKT machine guns, one Dane gun, one AK-47 magazine, 75 rounds of 7.62mm linked NATO ammunition, three motorcycles, two mobile phones, one Motorola radio set, one pair of camouflage uniform, two cows and four goats.
No casualty was recorded among the troops during the operation.
The successful raid underscores the effectiveness of ongoing counter-terrorism operations being conducted by the 17 Brigade and reaffirms the Brigade’s commitment to denying terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action within Katsina State.
The Brigade reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring a secure environment for all law-abiding citizens in the state.
