CDS Launches Operation to Combat Banditry and Kidnapping in Northwest

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has unveiled a new military operation, codenamed “Fashirin Yamma,” aimed at combating the growing threat of banditry and kidnapping in the North-West region. The operation will have a unified command structure, similar to the successful “Operation Hadin Kai” in the North-East.

The escalating bandit attacks and kidnappings in the North-West have severely impacted daily life, disrupting farming, business activities, and livelihoods. In response, this new operation is seen as a crucial step toward addressing the region’s security challenges.

Speaking during a Joint Security Agencies Media briefing hosted by the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, General Musa emphasized that the new operational structure is designed to effectively tackle the complex insecurity emerging in the North-West.

In addition to military interventions, General Musa highlighted the efforts to empower local communities to defend themselves against potential bandit attacks before security forces arrive. He also reassured the public of the armed forces’ readiness and capacity to protect civilians nationwide.

Providing further insight, Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Major General Emeka Onumajuru, discussed the ongoing efforts to ensure accountability and proper conduct among troops across all theatres of operation.

He reported that over 170,000 displaced persons have returned to their ancestral homes, while major highways in Borno State and other parts of the North-East have reopened, allowing businesses and livelihoods to thrive once again.

Major General Onumajuru also noted that approximately 125,000 terrorists and their family members have surrendered to security forces in the North-East, demonstrating the continued progress in restoring peace and security in the region.