Zamfara Governor lauds Joint Task Force for killing bandit commanders and seizing weapons
State Governor Dauda Lawal praised the Joint Task Force (North West) and its Operation Fansan Yamma for a series of coordinated attacks that neutralised senior bandit leaders and recovered a cache of firearms in Zamfara State.
The governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, said troops moved into Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji Local Government Areas in the early hours of Thursday, May 7, launching a precision strike that eliminated three notorious gang commanders. Security operatives also retrieved an AK‑47, a machine gun, a locally fabricated handgun, seven rifle magazines and 571 rounds of ammunition.
Lawal underscored the urgency of the renewed offensive, noting the growing threat posed by armed groups that have plagued the state with kidnappings, cattle rustling and indiscriminate attacks on civilians. He also highlighted a second operation on May 10 in Shinkafi Local Government Area, where intelligence indicated that a gathering of suspected terrorist leaders was being held in Tumfa village. An air component of Operation Fansan Yamma delivered a targeted strike that destroyed the hideout and further weakened the network.
“The coordinated assaults represent a major breakthrough in our effort to restore peace and security across Zamfara and the wider North‑West region,” the statement read. Lawal reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting security agencies through logistics and operational assistance, and called on residents to continue providing timely, credible information to help authorities track and deter criminal activity.
Zamfara remains one of the hardest‑hit states in Nigeria’s North‑West, where banditry has led to repeated community attacks, mass kidnappings and livestock theft over the past several years. The recent successes of the Joint Task Force suggest a potentially decisive shift in the balance of power, though sustained cooperation between the military, local government and civilians will be essential to consolidate gains and prevent a resurgence of violence.
The governor’s office has not disclosed further operational details, but indicated that additional joint operations are planned in the coming weeks as part of a broader strategy to dismantle remaining criminal networks and restore stability to the region.
