Gusau, Zamfara, NIGERIA — The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, arrived in Gusau on Monday, April 20, 2026, for a high-stakes maiden operational visit to the Headquarters of the North-West Joint Task Force, Operation Fansan Yamma.
The visit is part of a strategic offensive to assess military readiness and strengthen ongoing efforts to eliminate banditry in the region. Okay News reports that General Oluyede, who assumed office in October 2025 following the appointment of his predecessor, General Christopher Musa, as Minister of Defence, was received by senior military commanders and accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour.
During a closed-door briefing, the CDS reviewed the current security architecture and held interactive sessions with frontline troops to boost morale. Addressing journalists after meeting with Governor Dauda Lawal at the Government House, General Oluyede expressed optimism about the progress recorded so far. “Significant success has been achieved in the fight against banditry in Zamfara and the North-West. We will sustain the momentum until these criminal elements are completely flushed out,” he declared.
The Chief of Defence Staff also commended Governor Lawal for his administration’s support, specifically citing the recent procurement of armoured vehicles to aid military mobility. He urged the troops to take the fight to the bandits’ enclaves and make Nigeria safe “at all costs,” while calling on local residents to assist the military with credible intelligence.
This operational visit comes amid renewed military efforts across the North-West, as Operation Fansan Yamma continues to target high-profile bandit leaders and dismantle their hideouts in the sprawling forests of the region.
