The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, has directed troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA to intensify operations against bandits and other criminal groups in Nigeria’s North-West region.

The directive was given during his operational visit to the Joint Task Force Headquarters in Gusau, Zamfara State, where he assessed troop readiness and ongoing efforts to restore peace in the area.

Addressing the soldiers, Oluyede praised their courage and sacrifices, urging them to remain disciplined and relentless. He stressed that the safety of citizens depends on their commitment, calling on them to pursue criminal elements until they are eliminated.

He also assured troops of continued support in welfare, training, and provision of necessary equipment to enhance their effectiveness in the field. The CDS highlighted the importance of improved air support and better coordination across operations.

During the visit, Oluyede paid a courtesy call to the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, commending his support for military operations and encouraging stronger collaboration, especially in intelligence sharing.

Governor Lawal, in his response, appreciated the efforts of the Armed Forces and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting security operations in the state.

The visit included operational briefings, troop interactions, and an assessment of deployments as part of ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity in the region.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has begun deploying drones, body cameras, and other modern equipment across all states to improve security operations.

The Commandant-General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, approved the rollout during the corps’ annual strategic meeting in Abuja, attended by state commanders from across the country.

He said the move is part of efforts to improve surveillance, intelligence gathering, and quick response to security threats.

The new equipment includes drones, GPS trackers, situation room kits, bulletproof vests, helmets, night-vision goggles, and body cameras. Officers also received backpacks with solar chargers and mini tablets.

Abubakar explained that the tools will help tackle issues like banditry, illegal mining, and infrastructure vandalism.

He warned officers to use the equipment strictly for official duties, adding that misuse would lead to serious punishment.

The NSCDC boss also noted that the corps has recently destroyed over 400 illegal refineries and arrested suspects involved in illegal activities.

He added that the new tools will support special units like Agro Rangers and improve cooperation with other security agencies.

Nigeria has risen to fourth place in the 2025 Global Terrorism Index (GTI), following a sharp escalation in terrorist activities across the country, according to a new report by the Institute for Economics & Peace.

The report indicates that terrorist attacks in Nigeria increased by 43 percent in 2025, with 171 incidents recorded compared to 120 in 2024. This surge has pushed the country up two places from its previous sixth position.

Nigeria now ranks behind Pakistan, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic, which occupy the top three positions on the index.

According to the findings, the majority of attacks were carried out by Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram, with both groups accounting for 80 percent of terrorism-related deaths in the country.

The report further highlights a growing human toll, with fatalities rising by 46 percent to 750 deaths in 2025—the highest level recorded since 2020. In addition, 243 people were injured in the attacks, bringing the total number of terrorism-related deaths in Nigeria since 2007 to 12,581.

Geographically, violence remained heavily concentrated in Borno State, which accounted for 67 percent of all attacks and 72 percent of total deaths recorded during the year.

Civilians continued to bear the brunt of the violence, representing 67 percent of those killed, while military personnel accounted for 19 percent. The report notes a sustained shift toward increased targeting of civilians over the past five years.

The GTI attributes the worsening security situation to ongoing internal instability and intensified clashes between ISWAP and Boko Haram, underscoring persistent challenges in counterterrorism efforts across Nigeria.