By Zagazola Makama
The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (JTF NW OPFY), Major General W.B. Idris, has disclosed that troops operating across the North-West have neutralised 805 terrorists, rescued 2,536 kidnapped victims, arrested 1,108 suspected terrorists and informants, and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition in sustained operations aimed at dismantling terrorist and bandit networks.
Major General Idris made the disclosure on Thursday while briefing defence correspondents during a strategic media engagement at the Headquarters of Operation FANSAN YAMMA in Gusau, Zamfara State on Thursday.
According to the Theatre Commander, the operational achievements illustrated the effectiveness of sustained intelligence-driven operations, enhanced inter-agency collaboration, and the growing synergy between the Armed Forces and local communities in confronting insecurity across the North-West.
He disclosed that troops recovered 296 AK-47 rifles, 12 PKT machine guns, four General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), four QJC heavy machine guns, three Dushka anti-aircraft guns, and 11 Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers during various operations conducted across the theatre.
The command also recovered 18,335 rounds of assorted ammunition, 477 magazines, and 632 motorcycles used by terrorists for mobility and attacks.
In addition, troops recovered 4,219 rustled livestock, which were subsequently returned to their rightful owners, depriving criminal groups of a major source of funding while restoring livelihoods in affected communities.
Major General Idris said the sustained operational pressure mounted by troops has significantly degraded the operational capability of terrorist groups, forcing them to abandon several enclaves and disrupting their logistics, recruitment and supply networks.
He explained that while terrorists previously operated freely along major highways, continuous military domination of critical road corridors has compelled them to retreat into remote forests and difficult terrain, where they now rely on motorcycles and foot movement through narrow bush tracks.
“The operational environment remains dynamic, but sustained offensive actions have denied the terrorists freedom of movement along major highways and significantly reduced their ability to operate openly,” he said.
The Theatre Commander noted that the security challenges confronting the theatre remain concentrated in parts of Kaduna, Niger, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states, where troops continue to conduct long-range patrols, clearance operations, intelligence-led raids and targeted offensive missions.
He warned that terrorist groups have continued to adapt their tactics, including the increasing deployment of sophisticated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), the use of trained marksmen and the exploitation of rugged terrain to evade military operations.
According to him, recent encounters have shown that some IEDs employed by terrorist groups contain significantly larger explosive charges capable of destroying heavily armoured combat vehicles.
Despite these evolving threats, he said the command has sustained the momentum of both kinetic and non-kinetic operations through continuous adaptation of operational tactics and increased deployment of technology.
The Theatre Commander highlighted several notable operations conducted during the review period, including the destruction of terrorist camps, rescue of abducted civilians, recovery of illegal arms, interception of terrorist logistics couriers, dismantling of illegal firearms manufacturing syndicates and disruption of medical and supply networks supporting terrorist groups.
He said intelligence-led operations have become the cornerstone of the command’s successes, stressing that operational planning now integrates the capabilities of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, Department of State Services (DSS), Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Community Protection Guards and other security stakeholders.
Major General Idris also acknowledged the operational benefits derived from the strategic security partnership between Nigeria and the United States, saying the collaboration has enhanced surveillance capabilities and supported precision strikes against high-value terrorist targets.
He explained that every intercepted courier transporting weapons, ammunition or explosives undergoes detailed intelligence exploitation to identify and apprehend the intended recipients, thereby dismantling entire logistics networks rather than merely arresting individual suspects.
“We do not stop at making arrests. We investigate every suspect, identify the destination of the weapons or logistics and ensure that the recipients are also apprehended. Our objective is to dismantle the entire criminal network,” he said.
On civil-military cooperation, the Theatre Commander said the command continues to complement combat operations with humanitarian and community-based initiatives aimed at strengthening public trust and improving intelligence sharing.
He disclosed that Headquarters Operation FANSAN YAMMA distributed 24,400 bags of fertiliser to farming communities in Maru, Anka and Tsafe Local Government Areas of Zamfara State to support agricultural production during the 2026 farming season.
The command also carried out medical outreaches, renovated healthcare facilities, organised educational support programmes and maintained regular engagement with traditional rulers, religious leaders and state governments to promote sustainable peace.
On the security of major highways and critical infrastructure, Major General Idris said sustained troop deployments, mobile patrols, snap checkpoints, ambushes, aerial surveillance and coordinated ground operations have significantly improved security along strategic corridors, including the Abuja–Kaduna Expressway, the Abuja–Kaduna railway, Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road, Kaduna–Katsina Road and major highways across Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states.
He noted that while isolated attacks still occur in remote hinterland communities, the command has substantially reduced attacks on major road networks through aggressive area domination operations.
The commander further assured that troop welfare remains a priority, revealing that personnel receive timely operational allowances, adequate feeding, potable water, Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs) during operations and continuous logistical support from Defence Headquarters and the Service Headquarters.
He also disclosed that Operation FANSAN YAMMA is expected to receive dedicated unmanned aerial systems upon completion of the construction of its drone hangar, a development he said would further strengthen surveillance, force protection and operational effectiveness.
The Theatre Commander, Commended the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, the Chief of the Air Staff, the Chief of the Naval Staff, and the Honourable Minister of Defence for their unwavering support to troops in the theatre.
He said the military leadership has consistently provided Operation FANSAN YAMMA with critical combat enablers, including modern weapons, equipment, intelligence assets, logistics, mobility platforms and other operational resources that have significantly enhanced the effectiveness of troops in the fight against terrorism and banditry.
According to the Theatre Commander, the steady provision of these combat enablers has improved the operational capability of the Joint Task Force, enabling troops to conduct sustained offensive operations, dominate key areas, respond rapidly to threats and record notable successes against criminal elements across the North-West.
Major General Idris stated that the support from the military high command has also strengthened troop morale and enhanced force protection, assuring that the command would continue to make prudent use of the resources provided to sustain pressure on terrorist and bandit networks until lasting peace and security are restored in the region.
He equally lauded the Governor of Zamfara state, Dauda Lawal Dare, for his continued support to enhance Operations of FANSAN YANMA.
Looking ahead, the Theatre Commander said the command would sustain ongoing offensive operations, deepen intelligence-driven engagements, expand long-range patrols into remote forests, strengthen border security, enhance civil-military cooperation, intensify information operations against terrorist propaganda and continue working with sister security agencies and neighbouring countries to deny terrorists freedom of action.
He reaffirmed the commitment of Joint Task Force Operation FANSAN YAMMA to restoring lasting peace, protecting lives and property, and consolidating security gains across the North-West through sustained military pressure and strategic collaboration with all relevant stakeholders.