1 week ago
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Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have neutralised dozens of terrorists, including notorious kingpins in Zamfara and Sokoto states.
The military offensive, conducted between February 1 and 10, 2025, reportedly weakened terrorist networks and restored a sense of security to affected communities.
In a statement, Wednesday, Coordinator Joint Media Coordination Centre Operation Fansan Yamma Lt. Col. Abubakar Abdullahi said: “Among those eliminated were high-profile terrorist leaders Kachalla Na Faransa, Dogon Bakkwalo, Auta Gobaje, and Dan Mai Dutsi. The fierce battles took place in Shinkafi and Zurmi Local Government Areas (LGA) of Zamfara State, as well as Isa LGA of Sokoto State.
“Military operations targeted and dismantled over 40 terrorist hideouts, including those in Tungar Fulani, Unguwar Goga, Gangara Hill, and Gidan Maji.
“The operations also led to the seizure of a significant cache of arms and ammunition, preventing further attacks on innocent civilians. In addition, troops rescued dozens of kidnapped victims, providing relief to families that had been living in fear.”
While reaffirming the troops’ commitment to continuing the offensive against terrorism in the Northwest region and parts of Niger state, the statement urged the public to provide intelligence on fleeing terrorists, including Bello Turji and his associates, assuring that all information would be treated with strict confidentiality.
The statement also said: “With this latest success, Operation Fansan Yamma has dealt a serious blow to terrorist operations in the region, bolstering ongoing efforts to restore peace and security in northwest Nigeria.”
…Violent extremism threat to national security
Meanwhile, National Coordinator National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) Maj.-Gen. Adamu Garba Laka has said violent extremism remains one of the most complex security challenges that threatens Nigeria’s national security.
This, according to him, has threatened the very fabric of countries’ communities, institutions, and social cohesion.
He spoke Wednesday at the opening of a workshop and Validation meeting on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) Guidelines and Strategic Communication Plan in Abuja.
Gen Laka said the workshop highlighted unified determination by all security agencies and other stakeholders to enhance the nation’s capacity to counter violent extremism and ensure the seamless implementation of PCVE strategies at every level of governance.
He also told the gathering that the federal government had developed the Policy Framework and National Action Plan for PCVE to serve as a guiding strategy for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in tackling radicalisation and violent extremism.
“A policy is only as effective as its implementation, and that is why we are gathered here today, to ensure that we take deliberate and strategic steps toward localizing and operationalising this framework.
“Over the course of these two days, we will focus on the domestication and localisation of the PF-NAP for PCVE.
“This will be done through exploring strategies to integrate PCVE principles into the operational frameworks of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, as well as at the state and local government levels.
“We will also identify existing gaps, challenges, and opportunities for institutionalising PCVE efforts across various sectors.
“For the validation of the PCVE Guidelines and Strategic Communication Plan, we will conduct a thorough review of the draft PCVE Guidelines to ensure they align with national priorities, security realities, and international best practices.
“Furthermore, we will validate the draft strategic communication plan, taking cognizance that effective messaging is crucial in countering extremist narratives, fostering positive community engagement, and ensuring that our resp
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