The Headquarters Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma in the North West, has launched ‘Operation Clean Sweep IV – a simultaneous and deliberate offensive operation designed to intensify pressure on terrorist and armed criminal elements, disrupt their networks and prevent infiltration and expansion of terrorist activities across the North West.

The operation brings coordinated ground and air actions to bear on identified threats across states in the North West region, with the objective of degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting their movements and logistics, and denying them the opportunity to establish footholds within Nigerian communities.

Operation Clean Sweep IV has already translated into intensified operational activities across the Theatre.

In Katsina State, troops of Sector 2, on 12 August 2026, conducted a clearance operation around suspected terrorist enclaves along the Dutsinma Local Government Area, mounting significant pressure on the terrorists, compelling them to abandon their positions and withdraw into surrounding bushes.

According to the Spokesman for OPFY, Lt.-Col. Aliyu Danja, the clearance operation is ongoing in the general area.

In Zamfara State, following credible intelligence on the movement and convergence of terrorists on motorcycles in Anka Local Government Area, the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma executed precision strikes neutralising scores of terrorists, forcing survivors to abandon their motorcycles and flee into surrounding bushes.

Danja said the Air assest subsequently acquired and engaged the rest of the terrorists.

He stated that the major component of Operation Clean Sweep IV is the deliberate effort to contain and dismantle the Lakurawa terrorist network across the Theatre.

The Lakurawa group is said to have deeper Sahelian roots – in Mali–Niger border region. It emerged in northwestern Nigeria between 2016 and 2018, especially in Sokoto and Kebbi states as a community self-defence/vigilante force, assisting local communities facing cattle rustling and bandit attacks.

It transformed over time and began to establish camps, recruiting young people, imposing its own interpretation of Islamic law, taxing communities and engaging in violence.

 Danja said operation Clean Sweep IV is designed to prevent the infiltration and reinforcement of Lakurawa elements into Nigeria while denying the group the opportunity to exploit border areas as corridors for movement, logistics and the establishment of enclaves.

He said the operation further seeks to block the activities of terrorist elements operating around the River Niger axis and the Kainji Lake National Park, thereby preventing them from using the area as a platform for projecting violence into adjoining communities and other parts of the North West.

“The launch of Operation Clean Sweep IV underscores the proactive and sustained posture of Operation Fansan Yamma in confronting evolving terrorist threats across the region. The Theatre remains resolute in protecting civilian communities, securing Nigeria’s territorial integrity and denying terrorist elements the opportunity to regroup, reinforce or establish operational footholds,” he said.