By: John Bassey, Zamfara.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has charged troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to intensify ongoing operations against bandits and other criminal elements in the North West, stressing that Nigeria must be made safe at all cost.

General Oluyede gave the charge during his operational visit to the Headquarters Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), in Gusau, Zamfara State.

As contained in a statement by Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, the visit was aimed at assessing operational readiness, addressing challenges confronting troops and boosting morale in the ongoing campaign to restore peace and security in the region.

Addressing troops, General Oluyede commended their resilience, courage and sacrifices in the 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 cost,” he said.

The CDS assured troops of continued support in the areas of welfare, training and provision of necessary operational equipment to enable them discharge their duties effectively. He also 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. General Oluyede acknowledged the importance of air support in ongoing operations and noted that efforts were underway to enhance operational capabilities through additional platforms and improved coordination across theatres of operations.

As part of the visit, the CDS paid a courtesy call on the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Mallam Dauda Lawal where the CDS appreciated him for his continued support to Operation FANSAN YAMMA as well as the military generally. He also commended the people of Zamfara for their cooperation and called for sustained collaboration, particularly in the area of timely and credible intelligence sharing.

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.

The visit featured an operational briefing, interaction with troops, assessment of troops’ deployments and media engagement.