NO CEASEFIRE WITH BOKO HARAM, ISWAP – DHQ
Read Time:3 Minute, 33 Second
By ‘Balogun Ibrahim
The Defence Headquarters has dismissed reports of a ceasefire agreement with Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province and other criminal groups, insisting that military operations against terrorists and kidnappers will continue across the country.
The military high command said troops were sustaining pressure on armed groups, stressing that ongoing operations would not be suspended.
The denial follows reports that the Federal Government had entered into a secret ceasefire agreement with the Boko Haram faction led by Bakura Doro, which allegedly contributed to relative peace in parts of the North-East for about three months.
The report, which cited three sources with contacts among senior Boko Haram members, claimed the truce had been in place since June and was expected to be extended.
However, speaking at a joint security briefing in Abuja, the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, said the military had recorded significant successes against the armed groups, including the neutralisation of terrorists, arrest of suspects and rescue of kidnapped victims.
He maintained that these achievements showed that troops had not eased their offensive.
“On the issue of whether there is a ceasefire with Boko Haram, I want to make it clear that there is nothing like a ceasefire.
“Considering the terrorists neutralised, suspects arrested, victims rescued and other successes recorded across our operations, it is clear that we are not relenting.
“We will continue to sustain pressure on these criminal elements,” he said.
Uba explained that military operations were not limited to Boko Haram and ISWAP but also targeted kidnappers and other armed groups threatening the lives and security of Nigerians.
“Our operations are not limited to Boko Haram or ISWAP. They also target kidnappers and other criminal elements who take up arms against innocent citizens,” he stated.
He warned that anyone involved in criminal activities would either be neutralised through lawful military operations or prosecuted.
“Anyone involved in criminal activities that threaten the lives and security of Nigerians will either be eliminated through lawful military operations or brought to justice,” he added.
On reports that insurgents were relocating to areas where they had previously been less active, the defence spokesman described the development as an indication of the impact of ongoing military operations. However, he said the Armed Forces were closely monitoring the situation.
He noted that the military was identifying possible locations where the insurgents might have relocated to prevent them from establishing new bases.
“The fact that some of them are leaving their former locations is a testimony to the successes of our operations. However, I assure you that we are not taking the situation lightly,” he said.
Uba also cited the recent killing of a high-ranking terrorist in a forest area as evidence that insurgents would not find safe havens anywhere in the country.
“What we are doing is mapping out all the locations where we believe they may have relocated and taking proactive measures to prevent them from establishing footholds in those areas,” he added.
The Director of Defence Information further disclosed that recent changes to the Armed Forces’ order of battle, including the creation of new formations, battalions and units, were designed to address security gaps and strengthen military presence in vulnerable locations.
He said the military would sustain its offensive to prevent terrorists from extending their activities to other parts of the country.
Providing an update on the military’s operational achievements, Uba said troops carried out 588 separate security operations across the country in September and October.
According to him, the operations led to the neutralisation of 435 terrorists and bandits, including prominent commanders such as Ali Mandara, Abba Gajiri, Habu Ikkima, Nakif Yana Faruk, Commander Gogore and Abdussamad Ohida.
He added that troops arrested 809 suspects, secured the voluntary surrender of 198 insurgents and rescued 717 kidnapped victims and captives.
Among those rescued were 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members in Owerri, Imo State, and 11 people in Danko-Wasagu, Kebbi State.
Uba said troops also recorded major tactical successes in Buniyadi, Baga, Kukawa, Bittai and the Owo forest, dealing significant blows to insurgent networks.
He disclosed that security personnel recovered 5,666 weapons, ammunition, explosives and improvised explosive devices, alongside essential logistical equipment, in efforts to weaken the groups’ operational capabilities.
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