Rainy Season, Difficult Terrain Now Biggest Challenge as Terrorists Retreat into Remote Forests — Theatre Commander

By Zagazola Makama

The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (JTF NW OPFY), Major General W.B. Idris, has said that sustained military offensives have forced terrorists and armed bandits away from major highways into remote forests and isolated rural communities, where difficult terrain and the rainy season have become the principal operational challenges confronting security forces.

Major General Idris made the disclosure on Thursday during an interactive session with defence correspondents at the Headquarters of Operation FANSAN YAMMA in Gusau, Zamfara State, while responding to questions on the security situation across the North-West and the continued attacks on farming communities despite the military’s sustained operations.

The Theatre Commander explained that months of aggressive kinetic operations, intelligence-led raids and area domination patrols have significantly degraded terrorist capabilities along major road corridors, compelling criminal groups to alter their operational tactics.

According to him, the military now exercises effective control over most strategic highways and major transportation routes across the theatre, denying terrorists the freedom to operate openly as they once did.

“Our troops have dominated virtually all the major roads across the theatre. Trunk A and Trunk B roads are well secured through sustained military presence, patrols and offensive operations,” he said.

He noted that between January and April 2026, Operation FANSAN YAMMA consistently recorded significant operational successes on a weekly basis, including the recovery of weapons and the neutralisation of terrorists, forcing armed groups to abandon their traditional areas of operation.

“During that period, we recorded an average weekly recovery of about five weapons and the neutralisation of at least ten terrorists. The sustained pressure has forced them to modify their tactics and avoid direct confrontation with our troops,” he added.

Major General Idris said the terrorists have increasingly withdrawn into remote forests, rocky terrain and isolated settlements where they exploit the vast geographical landscape to evade military patrols.

Rather than attacking motorists on major highways, he explained, the criminals now target vulnerable farmers and rural communities located deep within the hinterland, creating the false impression that security forces are absent from those areas.

“They have realised that the major roads are no longer safe for them. They now move deep into the hinterland, where they attack isolated farmers and vulnerable communities. When such incidents occur, it sometimes creates the impression that security forces are not present, whereas the reality is that these attacks happen in extremely remote locations,” he said.

The commander observed that the current rainy season has further complicated military operations because the difficult terrain restricts the movement of heavy combat vehicles into remote areas where terrorists now seek refuge.

He explained that the Nigerian Army’s operational vehicles, including five-tonne, seven-tonne and ten-tonne tactical vehicles, are designed for demanding military tasks but face mobility challenges on waterlogged rural roads and soft terrain during periods of heavy rainfall.

“Our operational vehicles are heavy military platforms. During the rainy season, movement becomes extremely difficult because the terrain becomes soft and inaccessible. These are not vehicles that can easily traverse flooded or muddy routes leading into remote forests,” he explained.

According to the Theatre Commander, the operational limitations imposed by weather are not restricted to ground forces alone.

He said adverse weather conditions also affect aerial operations by limiting visibility and reducing the effectiveness of surveillance and air support missions, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

“We rely significantly on air support for operations in difficult terrain. However, weather conditions during the rainy season can also limit aerial operations. Nevertheless, we continue to adapt and maximise every available opportunity to sustain pressure on terrorist groups,” he noted.

Despite the seasonal challenges, Major General Idris assured Nigerians that Operation FANSAN YAMMA remains fully committed to maintaining the momentum of ongoing operations and pursuing terrorists wherever they attempt to establish safe havens.

“We are not relenting in our efforts. We shall continue to pursue terrorists wherever they are hiding, irrespective of the terrain or weather conditions,” he said.

The commander stressed that the command has adjusted its operational strategy to respond to the changing tactics adopted by terrorist groups.

He disclosed that increased reliance is now being placed on intelligence-driven operations, aerial surveillance, long-range patrols and modern technology to detect terrorist movements in forests and difficult terrain that are less accessible to conventional ground forces.

Major General Idris also highlighted the importance of unmanned aerial systems and aircraft in monitoring remote locations, noting that the command is expanding the use of technology to deny terrorists the freedom to regroup or launch attacks on farming communities.

He urged the public to appreciate the realities of military operations during the rainy season, explaining that the vast operational environment and changing tactics employed by terrorists require continuous adaptation rather than static deployment.

According to him, isolated attacks in remote villages should not be interpreted as a loss of military control but rather as evidence that sustained pressure has displaced terrorists from major population centres and strategic road networks.

“The terrorists have been denied the ability to operate freely on our highways. What we are witnessing now is their desperate attempt to exploit isolated communities and vulnerable farmers in remote locations. We are responding by adapting our operational approach to ensure they are denied even those remaining spaces,” he said.

The Theatre Commander reaffirmed that the Joint Task Force would continue to intensify long-range patrols, improve intelligence gathering, expand aerial surveillance and sustain offensive operations throughout the rainy season to protect farming communities and prevent terrorists from exploiting difficult terrain.

He added that the command remains focused on restoring normalcy across the North-West by maintaining relentless pressure on terrorist enclaves until they are completely dismantled, while assuring residents that every available operational resource is being deployed to safeguard lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure across the theatre.

Rainy Season, Difficult Terrain Now Biggest Challenge as Terrorists Retreat into Remote Forests — Theatre Commander