At FOB Faskari in Katsina State, the rumble of military vehicles mixes with the laughter of children now safely returning to school. This is one of the frontline bases of Operation FANSAN YANMA, the Nigerian Armed Forces’ campaign to restore security across the North-West. Recently, a team of Defence Correspondents from Defence Headquarters, Abuja, led by Commander Godwin Egbunu, visited FOB Faskari and other key formations to witness firsthand how troops are reclaiming communities from insurgents and armed bandits.
FOB Faskari: Securing Communities, One Operation at a Time
Major Hassan D. Abubakar, the base commander, briefed the visiting Correspondents on operations across Paspari, Sabuwa, Musawa, and surrounding areas. The base, a composite formation of Army, Navy and Air Force Special Operations, Police Mobile Force, NSCDC ,Engineers, medical units, and signals, has dismantled multiple terrorist hideouts, reopened farmlands, and allowed civilians to move freely.
The base’s ECOBI facility serves as a specialized training hub where troops prepare for operations in the local environment. Personnel familiarize themselves with the terrain, practice combat and civil-military drills, and train on safety measures such as countering improvised explosive devices (IEDs). These preparations ensure that operations are both effective and safe, allowing residents to live and work without fear.
“Our goal is simple: secure the area so residents can live without fear,” Major Abubakar told the correspondents.
Theatre Command: Media as Partners in Truth
At the theatre command, Maj. Gen. WB Idris, Theatre Commander of Operation FANSAN YANMA, emphasized the critical role of the media in boosting public confidence and highlighted the operation’s key achievements across all FOBs in the North-West.
“Operation FANSAN YANMA has successfully disrupted terrorist networks across Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Niger, and Kebbi States. We have neutralized armed hideouts, recovered weapons, freed abducted civilians, and reopened farmlands and markets. Our efforts are forcing leaders like Delo-2D, Guasca, and Taremi to relocate constantly, showing that terror has no safe haven here,” he said.
Maj. Gen. Idris also called on the media to help counter misinformation;
“False narratives are vehicles of confusion and cowardice. You are warriors on the screen and in print, just as we are warriors in the field. Help us convey the truth and our successes to the people.”
He dismissed rumors of the alleged release of 70 terrorists as baseless and stressed the importance of verification before reporting.
Community Collaboration: A Force Multiplier
Leaders of local vigilante groups, including Alhaji Abubakar Bature Magaji and former chairman Alhaji Labi Liman, praised cooperation with security forces. Schools, markets, and farmlands are now safer, they noted, and called for continued engagement to sustain the progress achieved.
Empowering Accurate Reporting
Commander Godwin Egbunu said the visit aimed to give journalists firsthand operational experience. “Media professionals must understand the realities of the field to report accurately to the public,” he said.
The correspondents observed joint civil-military exercises, planning sessions, and training drills, gaining insight into how intelligence, coordination, and community engagement underpin the military’s successes.
Restoring Peace, Rebuilding Lives
While challenges remain, Operation FANSAN YANMA has steadily reclaimed stability in previously terrorized areas. Combined operations, proactive intelligence, and community collaboration across multiple FOBs have enabled safer civilian movement, reopened economic and agricultural activities, and significantly reduced threats from insurgents and armed bandits.
The delegation’s visit highlights the vital role of media in bridging the gap between the military and the public, ensuring transparency, accountability, and informed reporting on national security.
The visit concluded with a souvenir exchange between Maj. Gen. Idris and the correspondents, followed by inspections of FOB Faskari and communities under the operation, reflecting the military’s commitment to transparency and constructive media partnerships.
*Lukman Babalola is a Senior Defence Correspondent and Publisher, Emporium Reporters and Emporium Magazine
