Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has directed troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to intensify ongoing operations against bandits and other criminal elements in the North West region, declaring that Nigeria must be made safe “at all costs.” General Oluyede issued the directive on Monday, April 20, 2026, during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters of the North West Joint Task Force, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), in Gusau, Zamfara State.
The visit was aimed at assessing troop readiness, addressing operational challenges, and boosting morale in the ongoing campaign to restore peace and security across the region, which has been a major security flashpoint for years.
Addressing troops at the headquarters, the CDS commended their resilience, courage, and sacrifices in defence of the nation. He urged them to remain disciplined, professional, and relentless in the fight against banditry and terrorism. “The safety of our citizens rests on our shoulders. You must remain resolute and go after these criminals until they are eliminated. We must make Nigeria safe at all costs,” the defence chief was quoted as saying in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba.
The message was unequivocal: the military high command expects an aggressive, sustained offensive to dismantle criminal networks that have terrorised rural communities for years.
General Oluyede also acknowledged the critical importance of air support in ongoing ground operations.
While noting existing limitations, he assured that efforts are underway to strengthen the operational capacity of the Nigerian Air Force. “We are doing our best based on the platforms available. These resources are being shared across multiple theatres of operation, but the government is working to acquire more platforms to support ground troops,” he explained. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to sustaining pressure on criminal groups until lasting peace is restored across the North West and the entire nation.
The CDS also held a closed-door briefing with senior military officers before his address to the troops. He later paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, at the Government House, where he expressed appreciation for the state government’s continued support for military operations, particularly the recent procurement of armoured vehicles, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) platforms, to aid troops in the field.
General Oluyede further called on residents of Zamfara and the wider North West to support security agencies with credible intelligence, stressing that timely and useful information remains critical to dismantling bandit networks and fostering peaceful coexistence.
In his remarks, Governor Lawal commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their sacrifices and sustained efforts towards restoring peace in Zamfara State and the wider North West region. He assured the CDS of his administration’s continued collaboration and support for Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
The visit, which also featured an operational briefing, an assessment of troop deployments, and a media engagement, underscores the military’s resolve to address the insecurity that has plagued the North West, where armed banditry, kidnappings, and rural attacks have displaced thousands. Operation FANSAN YAMMA was launched as part of intensified coordinated offensives against criminal groups, and this latest visit signals an acceleration of efforts to stabilise the region.
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