The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has charged troops to intensify operations against bandits in the North-West, declaring that Nigeria must be made safe “at all costs.”
Oluyede gave the directive on Monday during a visit to troops under Operation Fansan Yamma in Gusau, Zamfara State.

He said the visit was aimed at assessing troop readiness, addressing operational challenges, and boosting morale in the ongoing fight against banditry.
“My message to the troops is clear: they should go out there and eliminate all these criminals. We must make Nigeria safe at all costs,” he said.

The CDS reaffirmed the military’s determination to rid the North-West of banditry, stressing that sustained pressure on criminal groups would eventually restore security across the region.
Addressing concerns about the need for increased air support, Oluyede acknowledged existing limitations but assured that efforts were underway to strengthen the operational capacity of the Nigerian Air Force.

“We are doing our best based on the platforms available. These resources are being shared across multiple theatres of operation, but the government is working to acquire more platforms to support ground troops,” he explained.
He also commended the Zamfara State Government and residents for their continued support of military operations.

Oluyede said the recent procurement of armoured vehicles, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) platforms, has enhanced operational effectiveness.
He further called for greater collaboration from local communities, particularly in intelligence gathering, stressing that timely and credible information remains critical to dismantling bandit networks and fostering peaceful coexistence across Nigeria.