Troops of the Joint Task Force North West Operation Fasan Yamma have dismantled several terrorist camps around Birchi Hill in Danmusa Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State. The operation was carried out in response to credible intelligence indicating active terrorist activities in the area.
Lieutenant Colonel Abdullahi Abubakar, the spokesperson for the operation, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the terrorists had been launching assaults on local communities in Danmusa, Safana, and Kankara LGAs, with the most recent attacks occurring on December 19, 2024.
Precision Airstrikes and Ground Offensive
The operation involved a coordinated offensive, combining precision airstrikes by the Air Component with ground troop maneuvers. Multiple airstrikes targeted terrorist locations, dismantling their camps and crippling their operational capabilities.
Some surviving terrorists attempted to regroup near Birchi Hill, resulting in an intense firefight with ground troops. The engagement lasted several hours, with the terrorists ultimately subdued by the troops’ superior firepower. Fleeing terrorists on motorcycles were tracked by air platforms, and further strikes were conducted to eliminate them.
High-Profile Casualties
Local reports confirmed significant terrorist casualties, including the reported deaths of notorious kingpins Manore and Dogo Nahalle. The destruction of camps on the high ground dealt a severe blow to the terrorists’ operational network in the region.
Community Reassurance
Before the operation, residents in Maidabino, Yantumaki, Mara, and other areas in Danmusa and Safana LGAs had faced persistent threats, resulting in mass displacements. The recent offensive has restored some sense of security to the affected communities.
The Theatre Commander of Operation Fasan Yamma, Major General Oluyinka Olalekan Soyele, reiterated the military’s commitment to safeguarding lives and restoring peace in the region. He urged residents to refrain from supporting or harboring criminal elements and assured them of continued efforts to combat terrorism and crime in the Northwest and Niger State.
Lieutenant Colonel Abdullahi Abubakar
Coordinator, Joint Media Coordination Centre, Operation Fasan Yamma
December 26, 2024
