Nigeria army making bold strides in the north-west

BY ZAGAZOLA MAKAMA

In a remarkable display of resilience and strategic resolve, Nigerian Army troops operating within the north-west region have recorded impressive successes in the ongoing fight against banditry and terrorism. Operating under the banner of Operation FANSAN YANMA and supported by multi-agency collaboration, the military has significantly weakened the operational capabilities of criminal gangs wreaking havoc across Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi states.

During an insightful media briefing at the headquarters of the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division and Sector-2 in Sokoto, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General Ibikunle Ajose, provided a comprehensive account of recent operational milestones that reflect the military’s renewed commitment to restoring peace and security.

Ajose disclosed that  the recovery of substantial arms and ammunition, including 114 AK-47 rifles, 3,351 rounds of ammunition, three QJC guns, six PKT guns, nine RPG tubes, three GPMG, three Dushka machine guns, three G3 rifles, five pistols, one M96 Beryl rifle, 132 AK-47 magazines, 101 60mm mortar bombs, 40 dane guns, 208 motorcycles, and 3,212 rustled livestock.

He attributed these successes to the coordinated efforts of the troops and the strategic support from the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede.

The GOC emphasised that the joint operation area, covering Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi states, remains under control despite the unpredictable threat environment.

General Ajose revealed that over the course of several months, the troops have targeted and neutralized a substantial number of terrorists and bandits. This success included striking at their leadership structures, with several notorious bandit leaders including Yusuf Yellow, Halilu Sububu, Bako Wurgi, Sani Black, Dan Isuhu, and Hassan Dantawaye,

These operational gains have been complemented by the arrest of numerous suspected bandits and terrorists attempting to regroup and re-strategize. The sustained offensive has seen the military maintain an offensive posture, dominating large swaths of the operational area and preventing attacks on settlements and communities.

He outlined ongoing operations such as “Operation Secure Main Supply Route,” “Operation Forest Sanity III,” “Operation Chase Lawurawa Out,” and “Operation Secure Super Highway Ilela- Badagry aimed at maintaining momentum against criminal elements.

Major General Ajose emphasized that the strategic objectives focus on decimating terrorist enclaves, cutting off supply routes, and re-establishing government authority over neglected communities. Several key operations, including “Operation Secure Main Supply Route” and “Operation Forest Sanity,” have been effective in clearing critical hideouts and seizing logistical hubs used by terrorists to coordinate their attacks.

One of the most significant achievements has been the ongoing operations in the so-called “Lakurawa enclaves,” a notorious stronghold for bandit groups. Troops have launched persistent clearance operations across several focal points in Sokoto and Kebbi states, consistently walking the line between military action and community engagement.

In the so called Lakurawa enclaves, own troops 32 sustained clearance operations across Ilelah, Tangaza, Gudu, Silame in Sokoto, and Augi and several other locations in the Sokoto and Kebbi states, with significant successes.

A core focus of current military activity has been safeguarding Nigeria’s key infrastructure projects, especially the Sokoto-Kebbi Waterway Waterway and the surrounding transportation corridors. A specially formed task force a joint effort combining personnel from the Army, police, State Security Service (SSS), and other security agencies has been tasked with providing round-the-clock security to these vital arteries.

Since its creation, the unit has reported zero security breaches along the 408-kilometer stretch, allowing the smooth operation of all scheduled construction activities. The success is attributed to enhanced logistics, improved intelligence sharing, and continuous morale-boosting measures, including increased allowances for troops.

“In the last two months, we have not recorded any attack on our settlements. Our troops have maintained an offensive posture. We take the fight to them, pursue them wherever they are, and destroy their enclaves,” Ajose stated confidently.

Under the directive of Defence Headquarters, Operation FANSAN YANMA  have emerged as the backbone of the theatre’s kinetic push. Ajose said these deliberate operations have been conducted into major terrorist enclaves, yielding “unintended but highly favourable outcomes” in terms of terrorist decimation and community stabilization.

Operation FANSAN YANMA, also conducted across multiple sectors, has denied terrorists freedom of action, while Operation FOREST SANITY III focuses on offensive field operations to permanently dismantle supply routes, hideouts, and bandit networks.

“We are dominating the area of operation. Our troops are emboldened and resolute, thanks to enhanced logistics, equipment, and daily morale support,” Ajose said. Among the Division’s four subsidiary operations, Operation Secure Superhighway stands out as a pivotal effort combining military foresight and developmental necessity.

The operation, restructured under the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, now functions as a unified Joint Task Force, integrating previous operations such as Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch.  This restructuring aims to enhance coordination among security agencies and improve operational effectiveness against terrorist groups like the Lakurawas.

Ajose praised the Defence Headquarters under Gen. Musa for regular support, including a recent increase in troops’ ration cash allowance from ₦1,000 to ₦3,000. It might sound small to outsiders, but it has greatly improved morale and feeding. Armies march on their stomachs, as Napoleon said. We are ensuring this is implemented to the letter,” he noted.

He added that drones and protective equipment are increasingly being deployed to the frontlines, along with new platforms to enhance reconnaissance and battlefield advantage. He acknowledged the contributions of state governments through the Operation Safe Corridor initiative, which has added momentum to the theatre’s non-kinetic approach through community engagement, reconciliation, and reintegration of repentant fighters.

“Every day, we improve, in equipment, intelligence, and troop welfare. And every day, our resolve deepens,” he said.

Despite the triumphs, Ajose paid tribute to soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Yes, we’ve had challenges. Some of our troops have paid the supreme price. Others are recuperating in hospital. We honour them, and we fight on in their name.”he added.

Ajose reaffirmed the commitment of Operation FANSAN YANMA to restoring peace and security in the Northwest, urging continued collaboration with local communities and stakeholders.

Zagazola Makama is a counter terrorism expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad Region