The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, has directed troops of Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY) to intensify efforts to flush out remaining bandits and criminal elements in the North-West region.
Oluyede gave the directive on Monday during his maiden operational visit to OPFY troops in Gusau, Zamfara State.
He said the visit was aimed at assessing the readiness of troops, addressing operational challenges, and boosting their morale in the ongoing fight against banditry and kidnapping.
The defence chief stressed the urgency of restoring security across the country, declaring that Nigeria must be made safe “at all costs,” with renewed military operations supported by enhanced aerial capabilities.
“My charge to the troops is clear: go out there and eliminate all these criminals. We must make Nigeria safe at all costs,” he said.
Oluyede reaffirmed the military’s commitment to eradicating banditry in the North-West, expressing confidence that sustained pressure on criminal groups would restore law and order.
While acknowledging limitations in aerial support, he assured that efforts were 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. The government is, however, working to acquire more platforms to support ground troops,” he added.
The CDS commended the Zamfara State Government and residents for their continued support, noting the recent procurement of armoured vehicles, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) platforms, to enhance operational effectiveness in the region.
He also called for increased collaboration from local communities, particularly in intelligence gathering, emphasising that credible information remains vital to dismantling bandit networks.
Meanwhile, Oluyede paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, where they held a closed-door meeting before his departure.
