Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY) of the Nigerian military in collaboration with local vigilantes, have captured some of the key commanders of a notorious terrorists’ group suspected of involvement in the kidnapping and killing of Major General Abubakar Rabe in Katsina State.
The operation which was conducted on Sunday, September 20, 2026, reportedly led to the capture of several senior members of the terrorist group operating under the name; “Kachalla Maha”.
It was also gathered that the operation which was majorly carried out by the troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA working closely with local vigilantes as support ensured that the collaboration worked out effectively and smoothly, thus highlighted the importance of credible local intelligence and community-based security partnerships in tracking the deadly terrorists.
The arrested suspects are expected to undergo detailed probe and profiling to determine the extent of their individual roles in the activities of the Kachalla Maha group and also establish their involvement in other violent attacks across Katsina and neighbouring states.
A reliable security source disclosed that among those apprehended was one Samagi, believed to be one of the group’s top commanders and a key figure within its operational structure.
Information pieced together further indicated that the capture of the senior terrorist commanders marked a significant shift in ongoing military operations targeted at dismantling criminal networks as well as disable their command-and-control structures across the North-West geo-political zone.
The arrested suspects were believed to have played key roles in the kidnappings and killings by the Kachalla Maha group, in addition to other violent crimes in the North-west.
The captured Samagi and other members of his gang are expected to face investigation that would likely give security agencies more needed information and intelligence on the leadership structure, operational methods, hideouts, supply networks and possible collaborators.
The kidnap and murder of Major General Abubakar Rabe (retd) had opened up a vista of concerns regarding the violent activities of the terrorist groups and the threats they pose to the military and civilian communities in the North-West.
Meanwhile, security forces have continued to intensify their operations against terrorist groups and other armed criminal elements, particularly in identified areas of operation with a view of denying them freedom of movement and reducing their capacity to carry out attacks and kidnappings to the barest minimum.
The arrests of the kingpins is expected to boost ongoing intelligence-gathering efforts and also assist security agencies in tracking other members of the network as well as establish their links to previous attacks.
The military is yet to present details on the operation that is expected to include the number of captured suspects, recovered weapons and other accessories.
