Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has warned the United States (US) against intervening in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria, saying the move may worsen the security crisis in the country rather than solve it.

Gumi said in a Facebook post on Monday that Nigeria must tread carefully in order not to sacrifice its sovereignty on the altar of seeking foreign assistance to combat banditry, Boko Haram insurgency and other forms of insecurity.

He said Nigeria’s sovereignty was “a red line” and added that the country’s military had the capacity to deal with the security challenges if its operations were guided by fairness, transparency and proper rules of engagement.

The cleric said the presence of foreign military, including that of the United States, could turn Nigeria into the new battleground for international terror networks.

He cautioned that such intervention could bring foreign extremist groups into the country, exposing Nigerians to a larger scale of violence.

The military can manage the situation if there are no prejudices and deception in the rules of engagement for the use of force and finances, Gumi said.

“The USA’s involvement will only attract international terror groups to the ‘new arena’ and subject Nigeria to an unnecessary rise in violence.”

The cleric also dismissed the idea that the Nigerian military had been hampered in confronting bandits and Boko Haram insurgents due to the amnesty initiatives.

He described the allegation as false and malicious, saying such claims were being used to mislead the public on the nature of the country’s security problems.

For years, Gumi has advocated dialogue and non-kinetic ways of dealing with armed groups, a position that has repeatedly attracted criticism from Nigerians who think the government should respond more forcefully with the military.

He also said an over-reliance on military force had failed to stamp out terrorism and banditry in the country.

He said Boko Haram was still active almost 17 years after the extra-judicial killing of its founder, Mohammed Yusuf, in 2009.

Gumi attributed the ongoing violence to what he called excesses by security forces, including alleged attacks on innocent civilians during military operations.

He said the fight against terrorism must be carried out without injustice, prejudice and financial fraud, warning that military action alone will not achieve lasting peace if the root causes of insecurity are ignored.

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The Nigerian Army has declared that reports claiming that terrorists killed 17 soldiers, including a Brigade Commander, during a recent attack at Benisheikh, Borno State, are false.

The Army also lamented that there are several false, misleading and highly exaggerated reports across some television stations and social media platforms regarding the incident.

The Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force. (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, who gave the update in a statement on Friday, clarified that 2 officers and 2 soldiers lost their lives during the incident.

He also dismissed the insinuation that the Brigade Commander’s vehicle was unserviceable during the attack, explaining that the Commander was mounted on a high-grade Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, which was temporarily immobilised in the heat of combat while he was actively coordinating the counter-assault.

Uba cautioned against some trending videos and reports, which he said are unrelated to the recent foiled terrorist attack on troops’ location in Benisheikh.

The statement reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Army to maintaining security and urged members of the public to only rely on official sources and refrain from spreading unverified information.

The full statement reads, “The Headquarters Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has noted with serious concern the circulation of false, misleading and highly exaggerated reports across some television stations and social media platforms following the recent foiled terrorist attack on troops’ location in Benisheikh.

“These narratives, often amplified with unrelated pictures and videos, are not only inaccurate but constitute a deliberate attempt to distort facts, undermine ongoing military operations and erode public confidence.

“OPHK categorically refutes the claim that 17 soldiers, including a Brigade Commander, lost their lives during the incident. The official and verified report, as earlier released through Defence Headquarters, clearly stated that 2 officers and 2 soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of the engagement. Any contrary figure being circulated is entirely false, misleading, and devoid of credibility.

“The insinuation that the Brigade Commander’s vehicle was unserviceable is equally incorrect. The Commander was mounted on a high-grade Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, which was temporarily immobilised in the heat of combat while he was actively coordinating the counter-assault. This reflects the intensity of the engagement and the presence of leadership at the decisive point, not any equipment failure. Furthermore, the pictures and videos being circulated in connection with the incident are unrelated to the Benisheikh attack and are being deliberately misrepresented to reinforce false narratives. The public is urged to disregard such content, which is clearly intended to misinform and create unnecessary panic.

“The Nigerian military strongly frowns at the distortion of operational facts and the use of such unfortunate incident for personal/political gains or propaganda. Such actions not only mislead the public but also diminish the sacrifices, courage, and professionalism of officers and men who continue to risk their lives daily in the defence of the nation. The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains professional and committed solely to their constitutional mandate.

“It is pertinent to reiterate that troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully repelled the attack, maintained control of their location, and forced the terrorists into a disorganised retreat. The failed assault underscores the sustained pressure on terrorist elements and the growing combat effectiveness of troops across the Theatre. The military remains the only credible source of verified information on its operations and will continue to provide timely and accurate updates through official channels. Members of the public are therefore advised to rely on such sources and refrain from spreading unverified information.”

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HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA), a pro-democracy and civil rights advocacy group, has criticized the military’s handling of information regarding the casualties from ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists’ attacks on its facilities. The rights group claimed that the military is disseminating false information to Nigerians in an effort to paint a positive picture of the Nigerian Army’s accomplishments, despite the fact that the terrorists are on the rise and have killed numerous junior ranks, women, and children.

According to HURIWA, the Defense Headquarters spokesperson who recently stated that the terrorists should be rehabilitated and reintegrated is guilty of indiscretion and need to face administrative sanctions because the terrorists are committing heinous crimes against humanity. Just as the Rights organization urged that terrorists should be executed for their crimes against humanity, HURIWA is against any discussion of rehabilitation for terrorists who have blood on their hands.

Following attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) at various locations in Borno State over the course of seven days, the Nigerian military has lost at least three commanding officers in charge of forward operations bases, according to the Rights group, which cited reliable eyewitness accounts obtained by highly credible media outlets reporting from the North-East of Nigeria. HURIWA bemoaned the fact that the Nigerian Army has failed to collect the remains of Brigadier General Uba, who was allegedly seized and put to death by ISWAP. “Any country’s military is in decline if it is losing junior soldiers and permitting terrorists to kill its senior military officers.” We have to tell ourselves the truth and be honest. The federal government must act to stop the military’s collapse and provide soldiers with the tools and motivation they need to fight and destroy terrorists.

One brigadier general and seven commanding officers have purportedly been killed in the last three months, according to reliable media reports.

The recent attacks, according to local and security observers, show that rebels in Borno continue to pose a threat despite continuous military operations meant to weaken their capabilities.

Therefore, HURIWA is upset that the military’s leadership could approve the spread of false information to mislead Nigerians and convince them that the death toll was not as high as is being reported, despite the fact that the same military acknowledged that about 40 soldiers were killed in Borno and confirmed the murder of just one commanding officer. According to HURIWA, Nigeria is the only country in the world where Islamic terrorists are mass-murdering trained military personnel. The Nigerian military chiefs have committed an unacceptable breach of duty.

The army claimed in a statement released on Saturday by Lt. Col. Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, that the report misrepresented the events and neglected to recognize the efforts of soldiers who protected villages from organized terrorist attacks.

The statement claimed that remnants of Boko Haram, who had previously been driven from Sambisa Forest during prolonged military operations, were responsible for the attacks.

According to the statement, “the attacks on multiple communities occurred when remnants of Boko Haram terrorists, who had previously been driven from the Sambisa Forest during prolonged offensive operations by troops, regrouped and launched coordinated night attacks from multiple directions.”

According to the army, the attacks were directed at troops and villages in the vicinity of Konduga, Ngoshe, Mainok, and Jakana.

The statement went on, “The troops on the ground responded quickly and fought gallantly to repel the terrorists and defend the affected communities.”

It acknowledged that a number of terrorists were neutralized during the battles, but it also stated that some soldiers and a commanding officer were killed while fighting the assailants.

However, just as the Rights group bemoaned the state of the counterterrorism war and advised military hierarchy to adopt more effective and efficient methods to decimate, degrade, and destroy the terrorists, HURIWA asked the military to always inform Nigerians of the accurate accounts of the casualties rather than try to trick us into believing that everything is well with the military. President Bola Tinubu must end the unlawful practice of rehabilitating and reintegrating terrorists who kill people.

In a press release, HURIWA claimed that the media report’s claim that the military has stepped up operations in high-risk areas such the Sambisa Forest, the Timbuktu Triangle, the Mandara Mountains, and the Lake Chad Basin is accurate.

According to military claims, numerous large terrorist camps are being destroyed, and numerous rebel commanders and fighters are being killed during operations carried out on several fronts.

Major U.I. Mairiga, who oversaw the Mayenti station; Lieutenant Colonel Umar Faruq, who commanded the Kukawa base and the 101 Brigade; and Lieutenant Colonel S.I. Iliyasu, who served in Konduga, were the three leading commanders who were recently slain, according to media reports.

HURIWA remembered that commanding officers in Damasak, Kukawa, and Bama have also reportedly been killed while defending their bases during the past three months.

The majority of the fatalities, according to the findings, were caused by insurgent ambushes during clearance operations or attacks on military bases.

Current assault

The most recent event happened on Monday, March 9, when rebels overran a military camp in Borno’s Kukawa Local Government Area, murdering Lt-Col Umar Faruq, the commanding commander, and a number of soldiers.

Around 12 a.m., according to local and security sources, the insurgents attacked the base.

They attacked the military camp after storming the town from all sides. According to a security source, they drove away munitions, put cars on fire, and uprooted the soldiers.

“I am unable to verify the exact number of casualties, but regrettably, we also lost the commanding officer,” the insider continued.

Lt-Col Sani Uba, the spokesperson for the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation Hadin Kai, said that a brave officer had died in the assault, but he did not reveal his identity.

The military base was also attacked by rebels last month, but forces headed by the late Lt-Col. Umar Faruq resisted them, reportedly killing numerous terrorists.

On social media, the community’s citizens applauded his response to the previous attack.

Karta Maina Ma’aji Lawan, the representative of Kukawa Local Government Area in the Borno State House of Assembly, was seen celebrating the earlier victory with troops in a video that has gone viral.

Despite the fact that the military base was overwhelmed, the congressman who reported the most recent attack stated that other military forces in the region had subsequently regained composure.

Attacks by others

Boko Haram insurgents attacked Major Umar Ibrahim Mairiga’s base in Mayenti, Bama Local Government Area, on March 1, 2026, killing Mairiga, another commanding officer.

According to a security source, the cop put up a valiant fight against the assault but was ultimately overpowered.

Major U.I. Mairiga, the unit leader, put up a valiant battle against the terrorists but was ultimately defeated when several of his soldiers escaped into the bush.

“He died a valiant soldier.” He was overcome after killing a large number of them. We found RPGs and anti-aircraft weapons when I arrived as reinforcement, and we spotted numerous Boko Haram fighter corpses,” the individual stated.

According to the source, the officer received a special promotion and was deployed to the forward operations post less than four months prior.

The attack took place weeks after a military base in Jakana, Kaga Local Government Area, was attacked by terrorists who allegedly set fire to armored vehicles and stole a lot of munitions, killing several troops.

Lt-Col S.I. Iliyasu, the commanding officer of the 222 Battalion in Konduga, was murdered on March 6 along with a number of other soldiers in an additional onslaught by Boko Haram militants.

The attack reportedly claimed the lives of a lieutenant and other members of the 21 Special Armoured Brigade.

On January 28, Boko Haram fighters ambushed a military unit in Damasak, killing seven troops, including the commanding officer.

According to reports, the terrorists attacked a patrol unit, kidnapped the officer, and killed him and several staff members.

The Nigerian Army stated on October 20, 2025, that Aliyu Saidu Paiko, the 202 Battalion’s commanding officer, and several soldiers had died in a confrontation with terrorists from Boko Haram in Bama Local Government Area.

Troops assigned to the 21 Special Armoured Brigade under Operation Hadin Kai had previously fended off terrorists during an attack on October 17 in Kashimri, Bama Local Government Area, according to Army spokesperson Appolonia Anele.

Fourteen soldiers are said to have been slain in a concerted attack on a military base in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area, last Wednesday. Over 100 individuals were kidnapped and a senior military officer was also killed.

HURIWA is urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a six-month state of emergency in Borno State in response to the resurgence of attacks on both soft and hard targets. This will allow the military to concentrate more on eliminating the terrorists and reestablishing stability and peace in Borno State.

It’s a fact that Nigeria’s battle on terror is all but lost. The federal government must more urgently devise workable solutions to the expanding frontiers of warfare that ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists have brought upon Nigeria. One such solution is to grant arms licenses to law-abiding adult Nigerians, both male and female, so they can carry sophisticated weapons like the AK-47 and AK-49 rifle.

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The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has stated that a damage assessment of the recent United States strikes conducted in conjunction with Nigerian forces is still ongoing.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, said this while addressing newsmen on Wednesday.
Onoja further stated that the military would release its findings publicly after the assessment was completed.

The clarification is coming against the backdrop of widespread debate in the country on whether the strike was successful or not.
“On the United States strikes in conjunction with Nigerian forces, there is a process of battle damage assessment.

“We are still in that process, and I can assure you that once that is completed, we will communicate to the public all our observations. In due course, we will give you all the information that you require from the US–Nigeria strikes,” Onoja said.

The Federal Government confirmed the joint effort, describing it as part of ongoing counterterrorism cooperation.

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Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd), has narrated how he believes divine intervention played a decisive role in his rise to national leadership, saying God elevated him despite overwhelming odds.

Musa shared the testimony during a recent church service at Conquerors Global Assembly in Abuja.
The service was monitored by Church Times and later shared on its website on Sunday, with video clips subsequently circulating on social media.

The minister attended the service with his wife, during which he expressed appreciation to the church’s founder, Bishop David Abioye, and his wife, and offered prayers for the continued expansion of the ministry.
While addressing the congregation, Musa encouraged worshippers to remain hopeful, stating, “because we serve a living God. He will never give up on us.”

Reflecting on events over the past year, he said, “We give God the glory for what has happened this year.
“Even when the enemy thought they were putting us down, they did not know God was going to lift us up.”
“In their small mind they conspired and thought they had won. But as long as you have God as your pillar you will win,” he said.

Describing Bishop Abioye as a close associate, the defence minister said trials are essential for personal growth, noting that difficulties help to build strength.
He added, “If you are never challenged you can never improve in life. As Nigerians, we know we are strong but we are stronger together with God Almighty. Nigerians are winners. We must continue to pray for our leaders and our country.”
Musa also warned against constantly portraying the nation in a negative light, stressing that such narratives hinder development.

According to him, “If you continue to talk down on your country you don’t mean well.”
He further urged Christians to reflect their faith through their actions, emphasising that true influence comes from living out one’s beliefs.

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