Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defense, Bello Matawalle, says the Nigerian Armed Forces have successfully “neutralized” the majority of the high-profile bandit commanders operating across the North-West, significantly degrading the capacity of criminal groups that once terrorized the region.
Matawalle made the announcement during an operational visit to the Theatre Command Headquarters in Gusau, Zamfara State, where he relayed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commendation to frontline troops for their sustained push against banditry.
According to the minister, a combination of precision airstrikes and intensified ground offensives—particularly under Operation FANSAN YAMMA—has dismantled key command-and-control centres used by bandit groups to plan attacks, coordinate kidnappings, and move fighters across state borders.
“Most of the top bandit leaders have been neutralized, and what remains are scattered elements with limited capability,” Matawalle said. “Mr. President has directed that the remaining pockets of resistance be eliminated completely.”
He emphasised that the federal government is committed to ensuring the momentum is sustained, adding that troops will continue to receive improved logistics, modern combat equipment, enhanced welfare packages, and upgraded intelligence support.
The minister also urged civilians across the North-West—particularly in Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Sokoto—to maintain close collaboration with security agencies by providing actionable intelligence that can help security forces track fleeing fighters and newly emerging cells.
Matawalle noted that while the military has significantly degraded bandit operations, the final phase of the mission requires deeper community cooperation and vigilance to prevent regrouping.
Security experts say the minister’s comments align with recent reports of increased military presence in forest zones across the region, where several camps have been overrun and dozens of fighters arrested or neutralized in the past two months. They also warn that although the leadership structure has been weakened, isolated attacks may persist until the remaining cells are fully dismantled.
The Defense Ministry is expected to present a comprehensive security update to the presidency in the coming weeks, detailing progress made so far and outlining strategies for stabilizing communities affected by years of bandit violence.
