Military Establishes Forward Operating Base In Katsina

The military through “Operation Fansan Yamma” have established a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Sayaya, Matazu local government area of Katsina, to intensify its operations against terrorists and bandits.

It is also to pave the way for displaced residents to return to their homes safely.

Military sources confirmed the development in Gusau yesterday, saying the new FOB was strategically positioned to deny criminal elements freedom of movement and to prevent them from using Sayaya for attacks or as a logistics corridor to their hideouts.

The sources said the development followed sustained military offensives under “Operation Clean Sweep III” during which several terrorist enclaves in the area were dismantled.

The establishment of the base marked a major milestone in the ongoing counter-banditry campaign in the North-West.

Beyond serving as a launch point for offensive operations, the permanent military presence is expected to provide continuous security dominance, improve intelligence gathering, enhance rapid response to threats, and reassure local communities of the military’s commitment to their safety.

For years, persistent attacks by armed bandits forced many residents of Sayaya and surrounding communities to flee their ancestral homes, disrupting livelihoods and agricultural activities.

With troops now maintaining a permanent operational presence in the area, authorities expect displaced families to gradually return and resume farming and other socio-economic activities critical to the local economy.

Military authorities noted that the FOB will enable troops to sustain pressure on fleeing terrorists, prevent the re-establishment of criminal camps, and consolidate the gains already recorded during recent clearance operations across the region.

Operation FANSAN YAMMA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the lives and property of law-abiding citizens, stressing that troops will continue to conduct aggressive operations to eliminate banditry and other security threats across Katsina State and the wider North-West region.

The military also appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence, noting that public cooperation remains essential to achieving lasting peace and security in affected communities.