The Nigerian Armed Forces have reaffirmed their commitment to combating banditry, pledging to take the fight directly to terrorists in their enclaves.
Major General Oluyinka Soyele, Theatre Commander of the newly established Operation Fansar Yamma, issued a stark warning during a visit to Governor Dauda Lawal at the Government House in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State: terrorists must surrender or face dire consequences.
Zamfara State has long been the epicenter of banditry in Northwest Nigeria, suffering from relentless attacks, abductions, and killings for over a decade. The situation has escalated recently, with daily assaults reported on the Gusau-Funtua Highway as fleeing terrorists continue their attacks.
General Soyele emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The only option the terrorists have is to surrender.” He assured that the Nigerian Armed Forces (NAF) are fully prepared to launch decisive operations aimed at flushing out terrorists from Zamfara and other affected areas in the Northwest.
Highlighting the importance of community support in this fight, Soyele urged local residents to provide the troops with timely and actionable information to assist in rooting out terrorists from their hideouts. “We are more committed than ever to ensure that Zamfara and other Northwest states are free from terrorist activities. It is either they surrender or they die,” he stated.
Soyele also announced plans to engage with local communities and village leaders, stressing that collaboration is vital for overcoming the menace of terrorism. Alongside kinetic operations, he mentioned the intention to conduct non-kinetic operations to address the underlying issues contributing to the violence.
Governor Dauda Lawal acknowledged the ongoing terrorist threats on the Gusau-Funtua highway and expressed the state government’s readiness to confront these challenges to restore peace and normalcy.
The establishment of Theatre Operation Fansar Yamma was previously announced by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who indicated that it would consolidate existing operations in the Northwest, including Operation Hadari Daji, into a more unified command structure.
