The Defence Headquarters has attributed the recent surge in terrorist activities across Nigeria’s North East and North West regions to the arrival of foreign fighters from the Sahel, who are reinforcing local terrorist groups. This revelation was made during the first military briefing of the year on Thursday, which also marked the farewell address of the outgoing Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Buba Edward.
Over recent weeks, Nigeria has experienced a wave of deadly attacks targeting military installations and civilian communities, raising alarms over the worsening security situation. Maj. Gen. Edward explained that the foreign fighters, in collaboration with local accomplices, have emboldened terrorists and complicated counterterrorism efforts.
“The resurgence in terror attacks can be attributed to the influx of foreign fighters serving as reinforcements for these terrorists. These foreign fighters are from the Sahelian region,” Edward said. “Additionally, local collaborators play a significant role by acting as informants and reporting on troops’ movements.”
Military Commitment to Eradicating Terrorism
Despite the challenges posed by this development, Edward assured Nigerians of the military’s steadfast resolve to dismantle terrorist networks. He emphasized that the military’s strategy focuses on breaking the terrorists’ will to fight while degrading their operational capacity.
“In spite of the situation, troops remain resolute in their responsibility to end insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria,” Edward said. “Our strategic objective is to destroy the terrorists’ will to fight by targeting their operatives, commanders, and leadership while crippling their logistics, administrative, and combat capabilities.”
Edward also highlighted the importance of leveraging regional and international cooperation alongside media engagement to sustain pressure on terrorist groups.
Long-Term Nature of Counterterrorism Efforts
Acknowledging the enduring nature of counterterrorism operations, Edward urged patience and collective responsibility. “Wars are fought and won by breaking the enemy’s will to fight. This is not a quick fix but a long-term military operation aimed at completely destroying these terrorist groups,” he said.
He encouraged citizens to adopt a collective approach to security, emphasizing the military’s commitment to protecting the nation. Using the slogan for 2025, Edward reminded Nigerians, “The military dey for you, dey for us.”
Call for Collective Responsibility
Maj. Gen. Edward stressed the role of every Nigerian in supporting the military’s efforts, cautioning that compromising security in any form jeopardizes everyone. “Security is everybody’s business. We must all play our part to ensure our collective safety,” he said.
In his parting remarks, Edward acknowledged that while significant progress has been made, more work remains. “Sadly, we are not there yet, but we are inching closer every day,” he concluded, urging Nigerians to remain steadfast in their support for the armed forces.