FANSAN YAMMA Commander Seeks Stronger Military-Media Partnership in Fight Against Terrorism

By Zagazola Makama

The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Maj. Gen. W.B. Idris, has called for stronger and sustained collaboration between the military and the media to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations and accelerate the restoration of lasting peace across the North West.

Idris made the call on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, when he hosted media practitioners to a media parley at the Theatre Headquarters in Gusau, Zamfara State.

The engagement, described as the first of its kind since the commencement of military operations in the state, brought together journalists from across Zamfara for an interactive session aimed at strengthening understanding and cooperation between the military and the media.

The Theatre Commander described the media as a critical partner in the fight against terrorism, noting that the sacrifices being made by troops through sustained kinetic and non-kinetic operations needed to be complemented by responsible journalism.

According to him, the media occupies a strategic position in shaping public understanding of the security situation, strengthening national resilience and building public confidence in ongoing efforts to restore peace.

He said terrorists were increasingly seeking to exploit the information environment by spreading fear, attracting publicity and exaggerating their capabilities.

Idris therefore urged journalists to exercise greater responsibility when reporting terrorism and security-related incidents, particularly in the choice of headlines and presentation of information.

He cautioned against reports that could inadvertently glorify terrorists, romanticise their activities or give criminal elements the publicity and psychological advantage they seek.

The Commander also urged journalists to verify sensitive security information through appropriate channels and ensure that operational developments were reported accurately and within the proper context.

He said responsible reporting would help deny terrorists the opportunity to manipulate public perception while strengthening confidence in the efforts of security agencies.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Zamfara State Council, Ibrahim Musa Maizare, commended the Theatre Commander for initiating the engagement.

Maizare described the parley as a significant milestone in military-media relations in the state, saying it would enable journalists to better understand the security challenges confronting the region and the sacrifices being made by troops.

He pledged the continued support and cooperation of journalists in Zamfara to Operation FANSAN YAMMA and other security agencies in the collective effort to restore peace.

The parley also featured an interactive session during which journalists and the Theatre Commander exchanged views on security reporting, information management and ways of improving military-media relations.

Participants were subsequently taken on a visit to the Theatre’s Wall of Heroes, a memorial bearing the names of personnel of Operation FANSAN YAMMA who have paid the supreme sacrifice since the commencement of the operation.

The visit provided an opportunity for the media to appreciate the human cost of the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign and the sacrifices made by troops in the service of the nation.

The engagement came as security forces continue to intensify operations against terrorists and armed criminal groups across the North West, with sustained emphasis on both military action and non-kinetic measures aimed at restoring stability and rebuilding public confidence in affected communities.

FANSAN YAMMA Commander Seeks Stronger Military-Media Partnership in Fight Against Terrorism

Boko Haram Fighter Surrenders with AK-47, 26 Rounds in Borno

By Zagazola Makama

A 23-year-old suspected Boko Haram fighter, identified as Ali Saidiq, has surrendered to troops in Borno State with an AK-47 rifle and 26 rounds of ammunition, as sustained military pressure continues to weaken terrorist networks in the Lake Chad region.

Saidiq, a native of Garere in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, surrendered at about 4:45 p.m. on August 20 during a stop-and-search operation conducted by troops of 196 Amphibious Battalion and the Nigerian Army Brigade Lake Chad at Kwatan Alkama checkpoint.

According to sources the suspect voluntarily surrendered one AK-47 rifle, with registration number 02657, and one magazine loaded with 26 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition.

Preliminary investigation indicated that Saidiq decided to surrender following sustained military pressure against terrorist elements in the area and after losing interest in continuing with terrorist activities.

Security sources said his surrender represents another indication of the impact of intensified military operations on the operational capacity and morale of terrorist fighters operating in the Lake Chad axis.

The suspect is currently in military custody for profiling and further investigation to establish his role within the terrorist group, his operational history and possible links to other members of the network.

The development comes amid continued efforts by Nigerian troops to deny terrorist groups freedom of movement, disrupt their logistics and encourage fighters who are willing to abandon terrorism to surrender.

The military has continued to combine offensive operations with intelligence-led security measures, including stop-and-search activities, aimed at intercepting terrorists and recovering weapons before they can be used against troops or civilians.

The surrendered rifle and ammunition have been secured as part of the ongoing investigation.

Boko Haram Fighter Surrenders with AK-47, 26 Rounds in Borno

Police Arrest Two Suspected One-Chance Robbery Syndicate Members in Lagos

By Zagazola Makama

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two suspected members of a “one-chance” robbery syndicate over the alleged theft of a commercial tricycle in the Ojo area of the state.

The suspects, identified as Emeka Obi, 51, from Enugu State, and John Eze, 54, from Anambra State, were arrested at about 7 a.m. on Aug. 17 in the Iyana-Iba area of Ojo.

The suspects allegedly hired a tricycle belonging to a man identified as Ekene on Aug. 16, claiming they needed transportation to a hospital where their wife had delivered a newborn baby.

However, during the journey, the suspects allegedly stopped at a beer parlour around Kila Bus Stop, Ejigbo, where they took alcohol.

The report said the suspects subsequently asked the tricycle rider to purchase cigarettes.

While the rider was away, the suspects allegedly laced his drink with an unidentified substance.

The rider reportedly became unconscious and, upon regaining consciousness, discovered that his tricycle, with registration number KTU-334-QS, had been taken.

Following police investigation, the two suspects were arrested and the stolen tricycle was recovered and registered as an exhibit.

The suspects remain in police custody as investigation continues to establish their alleged roles and determine whether they are linked to other “one-chance” robbery incidents in Lagos.

Police Arrest Two Suspected One-Chance Robbery Syndicate Members in Lagos