Terrorist attacks: Military on top of game, says Musa
Ministry of Defence, in conjunction with the military hierarchy, has begun a review of its anti-terror strategy in all theatres of operation in the country. Announcement of the action by
Ministry of Defence, in conjunction with the military hierarchy, has begun a review of its anti-terror strategy in all theatres of operation in the country.
Announcement of the action by General Christopher Musa, the first since he became defence minister last December, coincided with calls by the Senate and House of Representatives on security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and joint operations in order to dismantle terror networks and their camps nationwide.
In recent times, terrorists have launched coordinated assaults on some military bases, leading to the deaths of soldiers and commanding officers, especially in the Northeast.
In the same vein, scores of terrorists and their commanders were eliminated during operations across the theatre areas.
Defence Minister, Gen. Musa, said after a strategy meeting with Service Chiefs – Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu ( Army), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas ( Navy ) and Air Marshal Sunday Aneke ( Air Force)-- in Abuja yesterday confirmed the military recorded casualties in the recent Northeast attacks but added that terrorists suffered heavier losses.
Gen. Musa said the Armed Forces are intensifying operations across various theatres in line with their commitment to fully restore peace across the country.
He said: “We had a quick, short meeting with members of the services to review our strategy in all our theatres within the country.
“We are all aware of the issues on the ground, but I want to assure Nigerians that members of the Armed Forces are working tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria is secure.
“We are aware that we have suffered some casualties, but I can tell you the terrorists and bandits are taking more. We are taking more terrorist commanders out, we’re taking more of their assets out, and we will continue to do that.”
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The minister urged Nigerians not to be discouraged by what he called ‘misinformation circulating on social media,’ warning that such false narratives could undermine troops’ morale.
He said: “We know because of the issue of social media, there are a lot of falsehoods being spread. The Armed Forces are on top of their game, and we are putting in every effort to ensure the country is secure.
“This challenge is a Nigerian challenge; it is not only the Armed Forces’ challenge. Other security agencies are also working in synergy with us.”
The minister also had a message for the media: “Please do not allow your platforms to be used to spread terrorism. When you circulate their(terrorists) videos and messages, you allow them to shine and use them as propaganda against our troops.”
To Nigerians who provide logistics or intelligence to terrorists, Gen. Musa said: “A friend of a thief is always a thief. Those supporting these criminals with information or logistics will be dealt with the same way we deal with the terrorists.”
He congratulated the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police(IGP), Tunji Disu, assuring him of the military’s readiness to strengthen collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force to tackle insecurity in the country.
The minister also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly and state governors for their continued support to the Armed Forces.
*Senate mourns soldiers, urges improved surveillance
In the Senate, members expressed concern over the recent terror attack on a Nigerian Army base in Kukawa Local Government Area in Borno State, and commended the bravery of officers and men of the Armed Forces.
They observed a minute of silence in honour of soldiers, including Lt Col. Umar Farouk, who lost their lives to the attack.
The lawmakers urged the military authorities to intensify surveillance and operational strategies to consolidate the gains already recorded in the fight against insurgency.
Their decisions followed a motion by Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno.
Monguno told his colleagues that in the early hours of March 9, 2026, insurgents launched a coordinated assault on the military formation, engaging troops in a fierce gun battle that reportedly lasted about 24 hours.
He said Lt. Col. Farouk played a significant role in restoring civil authority in Kukawa after the town was overrun by insurgents.
The Senator warned that the attack signalled a troubling resurgence of insurgency in the Northeast despite ongoing counter operations under Operation Hadin Kai.
The lawmaker also said another soldier died in Doro, another community in Kukawa, when insurgents struck in the early hours of yesterday
Senator Kaka Lawan, who seconded the motion, called for urgent and extraordinary measures to address the situation.
He said that some Borno communities such as Baga and Konduga came under attack in recent days, resulting in the deaths of some soldiers and civilians.
Lawan warned that the scale and coordination of the attacks suggested a worrying resurgence of terror in the Northeast.
Following deliberations, the Senate resolved to honour the fallen soldiers with a minute of silence.
*Reps canvass joint security operations
Also in the House of Representatives, members asked the Office of the National Security Adviser to coordinate a joint security operation involving relevant federal security agencies to identify and dismantle criminal camps operating in the forests around the Ekiti–Kogi–Kwara border axis.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance by their Spokesman, Akintunde Rotimi.
The members also asked the government, through the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and other security agencies, to immediately intensify security operations in the Oke-Ako, Ipao, Irele, Itapaji, Iyemero and neighbouring communities in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
They also directed their Committees on Defence, Army, Police Affairs, and National Security and Intelligence to engage with relevant security agencies to ascertain the steps being taken to address the situation.
Besides, the lawmakers asked security agencies to strengthen intelligence-gathering and surveillance operations within the affected communities and surrounding forests to prevent further attacks.
