Theatre Commander of Operation FANSAN YANMA, Major General WB Idris, has urged media organizations to collaborate with the military in countering false narratives and boosting public confidence in security operations across Nigeria’s north-west.
Speaking during the visit of Defence Correspondents from Defence Headquarters Abuja on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, Maj. Gen. Idris emphasized the critical role of the press in national security.
“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 said.
The Theatre Commander briefed the correspondents on extensive operations spanning Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Niger, and Kebbi States, highlighting both kinetic and non-kinetic efforts. He noted that key terrorist leaders, including Delo-2D, Guasca, and Taremi, are currently under pressure, relocating frequently in response to troop operations.
Maj. Gen. Idris also addressed circulating rumors regarding the alleged release of 70 terrorists, dismissed them as baseless and stressed the importance of verifying information before publication.
Commander Godwin Egbunu, leader of the visiting correspondents, described the visit as an opportunity for visiting journalists to witness operations firsthand, beyond the confines of offices, and gain appreciation for the sacrifices made by troops on the ground.
The visit concluded with a souvenir exchange between the Theatre Commander and the correspondents, followed by on-site inspections at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Faskari in Katsina State, reinforcing the military’s commitment to transparency and a constructive partnership with the press.
