Operation Fansan Yamma commander says difficult terrain is hampering troop movement, but insists sustained offensives have pushed terrorists off major highways into remote hideouts……
The Nigerian military has said the ongoing rainy season is posing fresh operational challenges in the fight against terrorism across parts of northern Nigeria, as flooded and difficult terrain continues to restrict troop movement into remote areas where armed groups have retreated.
The Theatre Commander of Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, Major General W.B. Idris, disclosed this during an interactive session with defence correspondents in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
According to Idris, months of sustained military offensives, intelligence-driven operations and aggressive patrols have significantly weakened terrorist networks, forcing many fighters to abandon major road corridors and seek refuge in forests, rocky landscapes and isolated settlements.
He said the military now maintains effective control over most strategic highways within the theatre of operations, making it increasingly difficult for criminal groups to move freely along key transportation routes.
“Our troops have secured virtually all major roads across the theatre,” Idris said, noting that continuous patrols and offensive operations have strengthened security on both Trunk A and Trunk B highways.
The commander revealed that between January and April 2026, Operation Fansan Yamma recorded steady operational gains, averaging the recovery of about five weapons and the elimination of at least 10 terrorists every week.
He explained that the sustained pressure from security forces has forced armed groups to abandon direct confrontations with troops and adopt new tactics aimed at avoiding military contact.
According to him, terrorists now operate mainly from remote forests and hard-to-reach communities, where they target isolated farmers and vulnerable rural settlements.
He noted that attacks in such locations often create the impression that security forces are absent, even though the affected communities are located far from areas easily accessible to troops.
Idris also identified the rainy season as a major obstacle to ongoing military operations, explaining that heavy combat vehicles struggle to navigate waterlogged roads and muddy routes leading to terrorist hideouts.
“Our operational vehicles are heavy military platforms, and movement becomes extremely difficult when the terrain becomes soft and inaccessible,” he said.
He added that while the military increasingly relies on air power to support ground operations in challenging terrain, adverse weather conditions during the rainy season can also disrupt aerial missions.
Despite the setbacks, Idris maintained that troops remain committed to sustaining pressure on terrorist groups across the region.
He assured Nigerians that Operation Fansan Yamma would continue to adapt its operational strategies and pursue armed groups wherever they are hiding, regardless of the terrain or prevailing weather conditions.
