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The Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has urged the establishment of new Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) across strategic locations in the state to curb the activities of bandits and other criminal groups infiltrating from neighbouring regions.
Governor Bago made the call during a courtesy visit by the Theatre Commander of Operation Fansan Yamma, Major General Warrah Idris, and his team at the Government House, Minna.
According to the governor, setting up the proposed bases in Mailaka and Kurege communities within Mariga Local Government Area would help close the routes commonly exploited by bandits to access the state.
“We are prepared to support the army by mobilising 25,000 young people to join the fight against these criminal elements,” Bago stated.
He also expressed worry over the state of abandoned public facilities in Kainji Lake National Park and parts of Borgu Local Government Area, which he described as potential hideouts for criminal gangs.
However, he expressed optimism that the ongoing operation would soon restore peace and stability.
The governor lauded the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their relentless efforts and appealed for enhanced logistics and aerial support, citing the vast landmass of Niger State as a major challenge.
He further noted that his administration is combining military efforts with peace-building initiatives to ensure sustainable security.
In his response, Major General Warrah Idris said Operation Fansan Yamma—which covers parts of Niger State and other North-Central regions—was launched to eradicate banditry and terrorism. He explained that his visit was part of an assessment tour to evaluate the terrain and boost the morale of troops.
“Our mission is clear—to safeguard lives, neutralise criminal networks, and restore normalcy,” the commander affirmed, adding that security operations are ongoing in Kainji Lake National Park, Babana, and other parts of Borgu.
Operation Fansan Yamma is a federal government-backed military initiative designed to intensify the fight against insecurity across the North-West and North-Central geopolitical zones.
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