Despite fresh terrorist and bandit attacks in the Northeast, Nigeria’s military continues to maintain control over insecurity, according to retired General Christopher Musa, Minister of Defense.
Following a strategic conference with Service Chiefs and senior military personnel to evaluate operational tactics across several theaters of action countrywide, Musa made the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to him, the purpose of the conference was to evaluate the state of security at the moment and bolster continuing efforts to combat terrorists and other criminal elements that pose a threat to national security.
“We reviewed our plan in all of our theaters across the nation during a brief discussion with members of the services.
He stated, “We are aware of the problems on the ground, but I want to reassure Nigerians that members of the Armed Forces are working tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure.”
The minister emphasized that terrorists and bandits were incurring greater losses, even if the military had reported some casualties during operations.
“We are aware that we have lost some people, but I can assure you that bandits and terrorists are taking more.”
He continued, “We are eliminating more of their commanders and destroying their assets, and we will continue to do that.”
Noting that combating insecurity necessitated a whole-of-government and society approach, Musa encouraged Nigerians to keep supporting the Armed Forces and other security services.
He cautioned against the dissemination of misleading material on social media, emphasizing that it could compromise security initiatives and lower soldier morale.
He said that instead of depending on unreliable internet reports, residents should constantly confirm security-related information with the Armed Forces.
The minister also urged media outlets to act professionally and refrain from spreading films and other content created by criminal organizations in order to prevent spreading terrorist propaganda.
“You give them the chance to shine and use it as propaganda to demoralize our troops when you use their videos and pictures,” he stated.
Musa further cautioned that anyone giving terrorists information or logistical support would be considered an accomplice and advised Nigerians to report suspicious activity to security services as soon as possible.
He congratulated Olatunji Disu, the new Inspector-General of Police, and praised President Bola Tinubu for his ongoing support of the Armed Forces and other security services.
He promised to work closely with the new IGP to solve security issues.
The conference takes place during a period of increased terrorist and bandit attacks in the country’s northeast, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
While holding ground against the militants, the military has lost several men in the past week.
Similarly, numerous terrorists and their leaders have been killed in recent operations around the theater.
On Wednesday, however, the Senate expressed serious worry about the tragic attack on a Nigerian Army formation and lamented the troops who lost their lives in the Kukawa incident in Borno.
Following a motion made by Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno North) during plenary in Abuja, the senate observed a minute of silence for the troops, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The motion was made by Monguno, who stated that troops stationed in Kukawa Local Government Area were the target of a coordinated attack by suspected militants in the early hours of March 9.
According to him, the soldiers engaged in a protracted struggle that lasted about 24 hours as the assailants came from multiple directions, but they valiantly fought.
The senator expressed particular sorrow over the passing of Lt.-Col. Umar Farouq, characterizing him as a pivotal player in the reestablishment of calm in Kukawa following an insurgent raid.
“Lt.-Col. Farouk was instrumental in helping displaced residents return,” he recounted.
The congressman described the incident as a part of ongoing rebel offensives and said that weapons were looted and numerous military vehicles were destroyed during the assault.
According to him, the attack occurred in spite of current counter-insurgency efforts under Operation Hadin Kai, which are meant to destroy terrorist networks in the Northeast.
Monguno added that one soldier was killed on Wednesday morning when rebels attacked Doro, a different hamlet in Kukawa Local Government Area.
He stated, “I received reports of another attack even this morning as I came to present this motion.”
However, the congressman praised the officers’ and soldiers’ bravery and selflessness in maintaining Nigeria’s territorial integrity and shielding people from rebel attacks.
“We honor their courage, tenacity, and devotion. According to Monguno, “their efforts have helped reclaim territories once firmly controlled by Boko Haram insurgents.”
Sen. Shehu Lawal (APC Borno Central), who seconded the resolution, stated that immediate action was required due to the worrisome rate of the insurgency’s renewed comeback in Borno.
“I also want to thank the troops for continuing to carry out their duties. He stated, “They remained steadfast in their fight against this insurgency in order to let our people sleep soundly.”
The senate then observed a minute of silence in remembrance of the troops who, according to the senate, gave their lives to protect the nation from rebel attacks.
Additionally, the senate praised the soldiers of Operation Hadin Kai for their tenacity and dedication to protecting people throughout Nigeria’s unstable northeast.
In order to bolster the continuing efforts to put an end to the insurgency, the lawmakers also encouraged the Nigerian Armed Forces to step up intelligence collection, surveillance, and logistical support.
Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, praised Monguno for his assistance to the Nigerian army in the Northeast zone as the discussion came to a close.
According to Akpabio, President Bola Tinubu is making every effort to address the nation’s insecurity.
However, the Federal Government of Nigeria has been given seven working days by the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) to apprehend and punish terrorists who are purportedly known to the government.
This came after Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi made bombshell assertions that the government knew the identities and whereabouts of every terrorist active in the nation.
The civil rights organization issued a warning that if Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration did not take decisive action within the allotted time, it would be forced to escalate the situation internationally. This would involve formal petitions to Donald Trump, the US Congress, and the International Criminal Court requesting an investigation into what it called the Nigerian government’s “apparent tolerance or protection of terrorists responsible for mass killings across the country.”
HURIWA said in a strongly worded statement released in Abuja on Wednesday that Gumi’s recent broadcast remarks had highlighted serious legal and national security issues that the federal authorities need to address immediately.
The organization remembered that the Kaduna-based cleric openly stated in an interview on DRTV that the Nigerian government is aware of every terrorist’s identify and precise location within the nation.
Additionally, Gumi maintained that security forces were aware of and present throughout his contentious excursions to bandit camps.
Gumi claims that “the government knows every terrorist by name and location” and that the police, military, and other security organizations accompany him when he interacts with armed groups.
In response to the revelation, HURIWA stated that if the assertion is accurate, it would represent one of the most startling acknowledgements of official failure in Nigeria’s continuous fight against terrorism.
The comment attributed to Sheikh Ahmad Gumi is deeply unsettling to HURIWA.
Nigerians should know why these criminals continue to roam freely, abducting schoolchildren, killing farmers, attacking towns, and destabilizing the country if the Federal Government does, in fact, know every terrorist by name and location as alleged, the organization added.
The group maintained that the ongoing violence in many states cannot be justified if the government already has actionable intelligence identifying terrorists and their hiding places.
The statement went on, “We are therefore giving the Federal Government of Nigeria seven working days to arrest the terrorists whose identities and locations are allegedly known to the authorities and to immediately begin their prosecution in accordance with Nigerian law.”
HURIWA further contended that the cleric’s continuing freedom raises severe concerns about Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy, given his acknowledged contacts with terrorist organizations.
“Why haven’t security forces invited Sheikh Gumi for in-depth interrogation or inquiry if he genuinely knows a great deal about the identities and locations of terrorists?
His claim that the government is already aware of these terrorists but has not taken anything is supported by his freedom from inspection, according to the group.
The rights group threatened to launch international legal campaign to hold Nigeria’s government responsible for what it defined as crimes against humanity resulting from ongoing terrorist assaults if no significant action is made within seven working days.
“HURIWA will formally petition the United States Congress, President Donald Trump’s administration, and the International Criminal Court to demand a global inquiry into the Nigerian government’s handling of terrorism, including the possibility that state complicity or negligence is enabling these atrocities,” the statement read.
According to the group, if authorities intentionally refuse to stop ongoing massacres, kidnappings, and attacks on civilians in Nigeria, they qualify as crimes against humanity under international law.
Additionally, HURIWA listed a number of legal sources that established that people may be held criminally liable if they know about major crimes but choose not to notify or take action.
Section 10 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, which makes it illegal to knowingly support, facilitate, or withhold information about terrorist operations, was cited by the organization.
The organization also cited sections of the Criminal Code Act that acknowledge the crime of accessory after the fact, which occurs when someone intentionally helps criminals avoid punishment.
HURIWA also referenced the seminal decision of R v. Sykes, which established criminal liability for anyone who intentionally aids criminals or protects them from prosecution.
The Nigerian Supreme Court’s ruling in FRN v. Osahon, another pertinent authority, reiterated the obligation of people and law enforcement organizations to work together to prosecute criminals and stop impunity.
The rights group claims that these court rulings uphold the idea that having reliable knowledge of illegal activity but failing to disclose or prevent it could be considered cooperation.
“Silence or inactivity in the face of known criminal activity might amount to aiding and abetting criminality, according to the law. Because of this, the Federal Government needs to quickly ascertain whether Sheikh Gumi’s allegations are true and, if so, take fast action to neutralize these terrorists, according to HURIWA.
The organization emphasized that at a time when millions of Nigerians live in constant fear of terrorist assaults, the ultimatum is meant to force openness and swift action.
“HURIWA would not watch helplessly as Nigerians are killed on a regular basis. The time for justifications is past if the government is aware of these terrorists’ whereabouts.
The group said, “Now is the time for arrests and prosecution.
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