Civil society hails CDS Oluyede, backs ‘No retreat’ order to troops fighting banditry across northwest

A civil society coalition, the Northern Peace and Security Accountability Network (NPSAN), has commended the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, for his firm and uncompromising directive to troops engaged in counter-banditry operations across the North-West, particularly under Operation Fansan Yamma.

The northern group said the CDS’s charge to troops to sustain aggressive operations and “go after criminal elements until they are eliminated” reflects the urgency required to confront the region's persistent security challenges.

Speaking at a press conference in Kano on Wednesday, the Zonal Coordinator of the coalition, Alhaji Ibrahim Mahmood Sani, said the renewed operational posture of the Armed Forces signals a decisive shift in Nigeria’s counter-banditry strategy.

Sani noted that for several years, communities across Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, and parts of Kaduna have endured repeated attacks, kidnappings, and forced displacement, adding that stronger military action was necessary to restore public confidence and rebuild livelihoods.

He said the CDS’s visit to the theatre command in Gusau, Zamfara State, and his direct engagement with troops demonstrated leadership commitment to frontline realities rather than distant command.

“The Chief of Defence Staff has shown that leadership is not exercised from afar. His presence in Zamfara, his interaction with troops, and his clear directive that Nigeria must be made safe at all costs, send a strong message that the era of hesitation is over,” Sani said.

The coalition praised ongoing operations under the Armed Forces of Nigeria, noting that increased coordination, improved air-ground synergy, and sustained pressure on criminal enclaves have begun to yield results in some affected areas.

He described Operation Fansan Yamma as a “critical national response framework” that must be fully supported by all stakeholders, including state governments, local communities, and civil society organizations.

Sani further said the CDS’s emphasis on discipline, professionalism, and improved welfare for troops is essential to maintaining morale in a theatre that demands prolonged engagement and high operational endurance.

“The fight against banditry is not a short-term assignment. It requires sustained commitment, and it is encouraging to see that the leadership of the Armed Forces is prioritizing both operational effectiveness and troop welfare,” he added.

The coalition also urged residents of the North-West to deepen cooperation with security agencies by providing credible intelligence and resisting any form of collaboration with criminal groups.

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It warned that insecurity thrives where communities remain silent or disconnected from security structures, stressing that local engagement is key to dismantling bandit networks.

NPSAN called on security agencies to maintain professionalism in the conduct of operations and ensure that civilian protection remains central to all interventions.

“The success of this mission depends not only on firepower but also on trust. Communities must feel protected, and security forces must continue to act with discipline and respect for human rights,” the group said.

Sani also commended state governments in the North-West for supporting military operations through logistics and intelligence sharing, describing such collaboration as vital to sustaining recent gains.

The coalition expressed cautious optimism that with sustained military pressure, stronger inter-agency coordination, and active citizen participation, the North-West could gradually move towards lasting stability.

NPSAN concluded by reaffirming its support for the CDS and the ongoing operations, describing Oluyede’s leadership as “decisive, focused, and necessary for this critical moment in Nigeria’s security history”.