Nigerian military launches major operation to crush Lakurawa terrorists, others

Nigerian military on Thursday announced the launch of a major operation targeted at Lakurawa group and other terrorist elements operating around River Niger and the Kainji Lake National Park axis tagged Operation CLEAN SWEEP IV.

Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, media information officer, Joint Task Force (North West) Operation FANSAN YAMMA announced this in a statement.

Danja said in the statement that a major component of Operation CLEAN SWEEP IV is the deliberate effort to contain and dismantle the Lakurawa terrorist network across the North West.

“The operation 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 added that the operation also seeks to stop terrorist elements operating around the River Niger axis and the Kainji Lake National Park from using the area as a platform for projecting violence into adjoining communities and other parts of the North West.

The spokesperson added that the operation involves coordinated ground and air actions on identified threats across the North Western States, with the objective of degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting their movements and logistics, and denying them the opportunity to establish footholds within communities across the region.

He also informed that Operation CLEAN SWEEP IV which has already translated into intensified operational activities across the Theatre with is yielding gains in the fight against terrorists’ elements.

According to the statement, 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.

He said the operation compelled the terrorists to abandon their positions and withdraw into surrounding bushes. 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 neutralizing scores of terrorists, forcing survivors to abandon their motorcycles and flee into surrounding bushes. The Air assets subsequently acquired and engaged the rest of the terrorists,” Danja said.

The spokesperson added that the launch of Operation CLEAN SWEEP IV underscored 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,” the statement concluded.