The Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd), has ordered an operational rejig in the North-West and North-East following recent attacks on military bases in the regions.
Musa spoke after a brief strategy meeting with service chiefs in Abuja on Wednesday.
The minister assured Nigerians that the armed forces remained fully committed to restoring peace and security across the country.
“We had a quick, short meeting with members of the services to review our strategy in all our theatres within the country.
“We’re 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 safe and secure,” he said.
Musa acknowledged that the military had recorded casualties in recent engagements but insisted that terrorists and bandits were suffering greater losses.
“We are aware that we have suffered some casualties, but I can tell you the terrorists and bandits are taking more. We’re taking more commanders out, we’re taking more of their assets out, and we will continue to do that,” he added.
He urged Nigerians not to be discouraged by misinformation circulating on social media, noting that false narratives could undermine the morale of troops.
“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 secured,” he said.
The defence minister called on citizens to support security agencies by providing credible information and reporting suspicious activities.
“This challenge is a Nigerian challenge; it is not only the armed forces’ challenge. Other security agencies are also working in synergy with us,” he noted.
Musa also congratulated the newly appointed Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, assuring him of the military’s readiness to strengthen collaboration with the police to tackle insecurity.
He further appealed to the media to exercise caution in reporting security-related issues, warning that the circulation of terrorists’ videos and propaganda materials could aid their objectives.
Please do not allow your platforms to be used to spread terrorism. When you circulate their videos and messages, you give them the opportunity to shine and use it as propaganda against our troops,” he said.
Musa also warned individuals providing logistics or intelligence to terrorists that they would be treated as accomplices.
“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 said.
In recent weeks, terrorists have launched coordinated assaults on several military bases, leading to the deaths of soldiers and commanding officers during the attacks.
In one such incident in Katsina State, Capt Paul Hassan and two other soldiers were reportedly killed by terrorists.
Earlier, on March 3, fighters linked to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province invaded the resettled community of Ngoshe in Borno State, shortly after residents broke their fast during Ramadan.
The insurgents were said to have overwhelmed the military formation with superior firepower, including rocket-propelled grenades, anti-aircraft machine guns and drones.
The assault reportedly left at least 14 soldiers dead across the Ngoshe and Pulka military bases, nine in Ngoshe and five in Pulka, including a commanding officer.
Senate honours fallen soldiers
The Senate, on Wednesday, commended troops of Operation Hadin Kai for their bravery in confronting insurgents in the North-East and called for intensified military operations following a deadly attack on a military formation in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The lawmakers also observed a minute of silence in honour of soldiers who lost their lives during the attack carried out by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.
The resolution followed a motion moved by the senator representing Borno North Senatorial District, Tahir Monguno, who drew the Senate’s attention to the assault which occurred in the early hours of March 9, 2026.
Presenting the motion during plenary, Monguno said the terrorists launched a coordinated attack on an army base in Kukawa, engaging troops in a fierce gun battle that reportedly lasted nearly 24 hours.
He said, “The Senate notes with deep concern that in the early hours of March 9, suspected insurgents launched a coordinated attack on a military formation of the Nigerian Army in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, engaging troops in a fierce gun battle.”
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