OPFY Commander Visits Niger, Directs Troops to Step Up Rescue Efforts for Abducted Students

The Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North West (JTF-NW), Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), Major General Warrah Idris, has directed troops to sustain pressure on the bandits responsible for the abduction of students from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State.

In a statement on Saturday, Captain David Adewusi, Media Information Officer of OPFY, said Major General Idris visited the scene on 22 November 2025 to conduct an on-the-spot assessment and gain firsthand insight into the incident.

During the visit, he was briefed by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division and Commander, Sector 3 OPFY, Major General C.R. Nnebiefe, on ongoing coordinated operations with other security agencies aimed at securing the safe release of the abducted students.

Reaffirming the theatre’s determination to bring the perpetrators to justice, Major General Idris urged troops to intensify their efforts. “The bandits are clearly feeling the heat of our operations and will find no safe haven. Remain vigilant and relentless in pursuing them without granting them any respite until every one of the captured students is safely recovered and reunited with their families,” he said.

He expressed confidence in the troops’ capabilities and assured that all necessary resources, support, and operational enablers would be provided to ensure mission success.