From Victor Osula Abuja
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has ordered troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to launch an all-out offensive against bandits across the North West, declaring that the time has come to decisively crush criminal networks terrorising communities, particularly in Zamfara State and its environs.
The directive was issued during his operational visit to the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force North West in Gusau, where he conducted a critical assessment of ongoing military operations and troop readiness in a region that has remained a flashpoint of violent attacks, kidnappings, and rural displacements.
Addressing frontline troops, General Oluyede delivered a blunt and forceful message, urging them to escalate pressure on bandit groups through sustained, aggressive, and intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling their strongholds and eliminating their leadership structures.
“The safety of our citizens is our responsibility. You must remain steadfast and pursue these criminals until they are eradicated. We must ensure Nigeria’s safety at all costs,” he said, underscoring a renewed determination by the military high command to bring the protracted conflict to a decisive end.
The CDS made it clear that the current phase of the campaign must go beyond containment to outright domination of the battlespace, with troops expected to take the fight deep into forest hideouts and known enclaves used by armed groups to launch attacks on vulnerable communities.
He revealed that the Defence Headquarters is ramping up operational capacity through enhanced air-ground coordination, describing air power as a critical force multiplier in striking remote bandit camps and providing cover for advancing ground troops.
According to him, additional resources and improved logistics are being deployed to ensure sustained operational momentum.
Oluyede also acknowledged the difficult conditions under which troops operate, assuring them of continued support in welfare, training, and the provision of modern combat equipment to boost effectiveness and morale on the frontlines.
While noting that recent operations under Operation FANSAN YAMMA have yielded some gains, including disruption of bandit movements and recovery of certain areas, he stressed that the persistence of attacks in parts of the North West demands a more decisive and coordinated response.
During a courtesy visit to the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, the CDS commended the state government’s support for military operations, describing it as vital to sustaining the campaign against insecurity.
He further called on residents to strengthen collaboration with security forces by providing timely and credible intelligence, noting that community cooperation remains a critical factor in identifying, tracking, and neutralising criminal elements embedded within local populations.
