Operation FANSAN YAMMA to Deploy Dedicated Drones as Theatre Commander Unveils New Force Protection Measures

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 the theatre will soon receive its own dedicated fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as part of an ongoing military modernisation programme aimed at strengthening force protection, intelligence gathering and offensive operations against terrorists across the North-West.

Major General Idris made the disclosure on Thursday during an interactive session with defence correspondents in Gusau, Zamfara State, while responding to questions following a comprehensive operational briefing on the activities of Operation FANSAN YAMMA.

The announcement came in response to a question from Defence Correspondent who sought clarification on measures being adopted by the military to improve force protection, particularly in view of the growing use of sophisticated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by terrorist groups operating within the North-West and the wider Sahel region.

The Theatre Commander acknowledged that the threat posed by IEDs has continued to evolve, requiring corresponding improvements in surveillance, intelligence and technological capabilities.

According to him, the Nigerian Armed Forces have already commenced a major expansion of their unmanned aerial capability, with Defence Headquarters and the Service Headquarters investing heavily in drones designed to enhance reconnaissance, surveillance and operational response across all theatres of operation.

“It still comes down to the answer I gave earlier,” the commander said.

“The military hierarchy is doing a lot. We have commenced the acquisition of drones, and we are aware that the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff and the Honourable Minister of Defence are doing everything possible to provide drones with wider operational coverage across the country.”

He explained that the acquisition programme forms part of a broader effort to integrate modern technology into military operations, enabling commanders to detect threats earlier, improve situational awareness and respond rapidly to terrorist activities in difficult terrain.

Major General Idris disclosed that several operational theatres have already begun receiving unmanned aerial systems, while Operation FANSAN YAMMA is expected to receive its own dedicated drone capability immediately after the completion of the construction of its operational hangar.

“As it stands today, Operation FANSAN YAMMA is awaiting the completion of the construction of our hangar before our own drones are deployed for more efficient conduct of operations,” he said.

The commander noted that the deployment of dedicated drones would significantly improve the command’s ability to monitor vast forest corridors, detect terrorist movements, identify IED threats and support troops engaged in offensive operations.

He explained that the North-West theatre presents unique operational challenges because of its expansive forests, mountainous terrain and remote settlements that are often inaccessible to conventional ground patrols, particularly during the rainy season.

According to him, unmanned aerial platforms will bridge those operational gaps by providing persistent surveillance over difficult terrain while supporting intelligence-driven operations against terrorist enclaves.

He further stated that drones would complement existing air assets by providing commanders with real-time intelligence before, during and after military operations.

The Theatre Commander noted that the growing sophistication of terrorist tactics—including the increasing deployment of improvised explosive devices, ambushes and hit-and-run attacks—requires equally sophisticated technological responses.

He said the Armed Forces have therefore prioritised investments in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities as part of broader efforts to reduce casualties and enhance operational effectiveness.

“Our objective is not only to attack terrorists but also to ensure the safety of our personnel during operations. Modern technology is becoming increasingly important in achieving that objective,” he said.

Major General Idris commended the leadership of the Armed Forces, particularly the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu; and the Honourable Minister of Defence for their continued commitment to equipping frontline formations with modern capabilities.

He observed that the support being provided by Defence Headquarters has already translated into significant improvements in operational performance across various theatres.

According to him, enhanced surveillance capabilities, improved intelligence gathering and the increasing deployment of modern equipment have enabled troops to sustain pressure on terrorist groups while reducing their freedom of movement.

The commander explained that force protection remains one of the command’s highest priorities, stressing that every available technological solution is being explored to minimise operational risks to personnel.

He added that the military’s ongoing investment in drones is expected to transform operations by improving early warning, target acquisition, battle damage assessment and operational coordination between ground and air forces.

He also reiterated that the introduction of dedicated UAV capability would further strengthen the command’s ability to dominate remote forests where terrorists have increasingly sought refuge after being pushed away from major highways through sustained military offensives.

“The terrorists are constantly adapting, and we must remain ahead of them. Technology gives us that advantage. With improved drone capability, better intelligence and continued support from the military high command, we will further deny them freedom of movement and make the operational environment even more hostile for criminal elements,” he said.

Major General Idris reaffirmed that Operation FANSAN YAMMA would continue to combine modern technology with intelligence-led operations, long-range patrols and coordinated inter-agency collaboration to protect communities, secure critical infrastructure and dismantle terrorist networks across the North-West.

He assured Nigerians that the command remains committed to enhancing force protection, improving operational efficiency and sustaining the momentum of ongoing operations until lasting peace and security are restored throughout the theatre.

Operation FANSAN YAMMA to Deploy Dedicated Drones as Theatre Commander Unveils New Force Protection Measures

Theatre Commander Traces Terrorists’ Weapons to Post-Libya Arms Proliferation, Says Nigeria Strengthens Border Security

By Zagazola Makama

The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (JTF NW OPFY), Major General W.B. Idris, has attributed the proliferation of sophisticated weapons in the hands of terrorists and bandits across Nigeria to the collapse of Libya, saying the resulting flow of illicit arms across the Maghreb and Sahel continues to fuel insecurity in the region.

The commander made the remarks on Thursday during an interactive session with defence correspondents at the Headquarters of Operation FANSAN YAMMA in Gusau, Zamfara State, while responding to questions following a comprehensive operational briefing on the command’s activities.

Addressing the question of how terrorists continue to acquire sophisticated weapons despite ongoing military operations, Major General Idris said the collapse of Libya created one of the largest illicit arms trafficking networks in Africa, with weapons finding their way into the hands of terrorist organisations, transnational criminal groups and other violent actors operating across the Sahel.

“It is a well-known fact that the proliferation of arms in the Maghreb region became much worse after the fall of Libya. Most of these weapons eventually found their way into the hands of terrorists and criminal elements that are determined to destabilise countries across the region, including Nigeria,” he said.

The Theatre Commander explained that the challenge extends beyond Nigeria’s borders, stressing that the country’s security architecture has increasingly adopted a regional approach to counter the transnational nature of terrorism.

According to him, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have strengthened operational collaboration with neighbouring countries through intelligence sharing, coordinated border patrols and joint security initiatives aimed at preventing the movement of terrorists, weapons and logistics into Nigerian territory.

He disclosed that troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA work closely with security forces from the Republic of Niger along the extensive Nigeria-Niger border stretching through Sokoto and adjoining operational sectors.

Similarly, he noted that troops under Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD maintain active security collaboration with forces of the Republic of Benin to secure Nigeria’s western border and deny criminal elements freedom of movement across international boundaries.

“These collaborations are not limited to routine patrols. We constantly exchange intelligence with our counterparts in neighbouring countries so that movements of terrorists, arms and logistics can be detected and disrupted before they reach Nigerian territory,” he said.

Major General Idris explained that beyond intelligence sharing, the Nigerian military closely monitors terrorist activities and emerging security trends across the Sahel to anticipate potential threats before they spill into the country.

He cited recent terrorist attacks in neighbouring countries as developments that are carefully studied by Nigerian security agencies in order to strengthen domestic preparedness and prevent similar incidents.

The commander revealed that after monitoring recent large-scale terrorist attacks outside Nigeria through intelligence and open-source surveillance, the military immediately reviewed its own defensive posture and strengthened the protection of strategic national assets.

He pointed specifically to measures taken to improve security around critical infrastructure, including airports and other sensitive installations, following attacks on similar facilities elsewhere in the region.

According to him, troops remain actively engaged in ongoing operations against terrorist groups across the North-West while border surveillance has been intensified to prevent infiltration.

“As we are speaking today, our troops are in contact with terrorists. Operations are ongoing, while we continue to strengthen border security and intelligence gathering to prevent illegal movement of weapons and terrorists into Nigeria,” he said.

The Theatre Commander acknowledged that while significant progress has been made, securing Nigeria’s vast land borders remains a continuous undertaking that requires sustained collaboration among security agencies and neighbouring countries.

“We are not there yet, but we are making every effort to ensure that our borders are secure and free from infiltration as well as the illegal movement of weapons into Nigeria,” he added.

Major General Idris stressed that intelligence remains the cornerstone of the military’s counter-terrorism strategy, noting that every operational success depends on timely information, regional cooperation and proactive security measures designed to stop threats before they materialise.

He reiterated that Operation FANSAN YAMMA would continue working with sister security agencies, neighbouring countries and local communities to dismantle terrorist logistics networks, deny criminal groups access to illicit weapons and strengthen security across the North-West.

The commander assured Nigerians that despite the evolving nature of the threat, the Armed Forces remain committed to protecting the country’s territorial integrity and preventing external terrorist influences from taking root within Nigeria.

Theatre Commander Traces Terrorists’ Weapons to Post-Libya Arms Proliferation, Says Nigeria Strengthens Border Security

1 Brigade dismantles terrorist camps, seizes heavy weapons in sustained Zamfara offensive

By Zagazola Makama

The Headquarters 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army, has intensified its offensive against terrorist and bandit networks in Zamfara State, dismantling several camps and command hideouts, recovering heavy weapons and large quantities of ammunition, while significantly degrading the operational capabilities of criminal groups operating across the state.

The Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Mustapha Jimoh, said the successes were achieved through sustained intelligence-driven kinetic and non-kinetic operations conducted in collaboration with other components of the Armed Forces, security agencies and critical stakeholders.

Jimoh said the operations were designed to deny criminal elements freedom of action by targeting their command structures, logistics bases and mobility corridors across the brigade’s Area of Responsibility.

According to him, troops destroyed several terrorist camps and operational hideouts during clearance operations, thereby denying armed groups safe havens from which they planned and launched attacks against communities.

“As part of these operations, troops recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition that significantly reduced the firepower available to the terrorists and bandits,” he said.

The Brigade Commander disclosed that troops recovered 46 AK-47 rifles, one PKT machine gun, two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), three Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers, and six locally fabricated rifles from the criminal elements.

He added that troops also recovered 48 AK-47 magazines, one handgun magazine, one locally fabricated rifle magazine, and large quantities of ammunition during various operations.

According to Jimoh, the recoveries dealt a major blow to the operational capability of the armed groups by disrupting their access to weapons and logistics.

He further revealed that troops recovered 144 motorcycles, which he described as one of the major logistical assets used by terrorists and bandits to move fighters, transport weapons and launch attacks across difficult terrain.

“The recovery of these motorcycles has considerably disrupted the mobility and logistics network of criminal elements operating within our area of responsibility,” he said.

Jimoh explained that Headquarters 1 Brigade conducts continuous intelligence-led offensive operations, including fighting patrols, long-range patrols, ambushes, clearance operations, cordon-and-search missions and rapid response operations across identified flashpoints.

He said the Brigade had established Forward Operating Bases (FOBs), combat locations and checkpoints to dominate the operational environment and respond swiftly to emerging threats.

The Brigade Commander noted that the security situation in Zamfara had evolved considerably over the years, with criminal groups transforming from loosely organised cattle-rustling gangs into heavily armed networks engaged in kidnapping, attacks on communities, destruction of infrastructure and violent assaults on security personnel.

He attributed the transformation to the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons, weak governance in remote communities and the exploitation of the vast forests stretching across Zamfara and neighbouring states.

“From about 2011, these criminal groups became increasingly organised, establishing camps within the expansive forests of Kuyambana, Kagara, Kamuku and Gungu, which provided them with freedom of movement and logistical bases,” he said.

Jimoh added that some of the groups later adopted tactics commonly associated with terrorist organisations, including coordinated attacks on communities, sophisticated weapon systems and deliberate intimidation of civilian populations.

He said Zamfara remains one of the country’s most challenging operational theatres because of its extensive forest reserves, rugged terrain and proximity to neighbouring states, which criminal groups exploit for movement and logistics.

Despite these challenges, he said sustained military pressure had continued to reduce the operational capacity of the armed groups while improving freedom of movement for residents.

The Brigade Commander also disclosed that troops rescued 283 kidnapped victims, including women, children, students and other civilians, during various operations across the state.

He said recovered livestock stolen by the terrorists had been returned to their rightful owners, helping to restore livelihoods in affected communities.

Jimoh noted that Headquarters 1 Brigade works closely with the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies through coordinated planning, intelligence sharing and joint operations.

He also acknowledged the support of the Zamfara and Kebbi State governments in logistics, intelligence, policy coordination and community engagement, saying the collaboration had enhanced operational effectiveness.

The Brigade Commander said that although considerable progress had been recorded, the Brigade continued to contend with vast operational terrain, expansive forests, evolving criminal tactics, trans-border criminal networks and limited operational resources.

He assured that troops would sustain the momentum of ongoing operations through enhanced intelligence gathering, improved surveillance, strengthened inter-agency cooperation and continuous engagement with local communities.

“The Brigade remains committed to dismantling the remaining terrorist and bandit networks, protecting lives and property, restoring civil authority and creating a secure environment that will support farming, commerce and sustainable socio-economic development across Zamfara and Kebbi States,” Jimoh said.

1 Brigade dismantles terrorist camps, seizes heavy weapons in sustained Zamfara offensive