The Northern Elders Political Development group has said improved security in the North-West has brought hope to the region’s residents.

This was noted in a statement by the group’s secretary, Adamu Giwa.

In October 2024, the federal government launched ‘Operation Fasan Yamma’ (salvage the west), a new military initiative to tackle banditry and insecurity in the North-West.

”Measures taken under Operation ‘Fansa Yamma’, as promised by President Bola Tinubu, have yielded positive results, reducing kidnapping and attacks by bandits in many villages in the region,” the group said.

The group commended the defence minister  Mohammed Matawalle and defence chief Christopher Musa for their collaborative efforts with other security apparatus in improving security in the north west.

”Many towns and villages in the region observed the Eid-el-Fitri peacefully without recording cases of bandits’ attacks. We also commend troops for a successful outing under operation Fansa Yamma, which led to the destruction of bandits’ enclaves in some areas in the North-West.

”The improved security has significantly reduced challenges of travelling and trading activities, especially along major routes like Sokoto-Gusau and to Kano,” the group said.

The military’s efforts, the group said, had led to success in operations against banditry, especially in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Katsina.

The elders said that the new tactical operations of attacking bandits in their enclaves had been a significant achievement.

“We agree that while we are not there yet, there are indications that we are on the right track towards that,” the group said.

The group, however, raised concerns over reports of pockets of attacks in some villages in Sabon Birni and Isa, Sokoto, as well as in other areas of Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara.

(NAN)