The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has attributed the recent surge in terrorist activities in the Northeast and Northwest regions of Nigeria to an influx of foreign fighters reinforcing local terror groups.
Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, explained that foreign fighters from the Sahel region are bolstering the ranks of terrorists, creating a resurgence of attacks.
“The resurgence in terrorist attacks can be linked to the influx of foreign fighters providing reinforcement for these terrorists,” Buba said. “Another contributing factor is the presence of local collaborators who form a support base, acting as informants and reporting on troop movements.”
Despite these challenges, Buba assured that the military remains steadfast in its commitment to eradicating insurgency and terrorism. While occasional tactical setbacks may occur, he emphasized that the military’s strategic objective of breaking the terrorists’ will to fight remains intact.
“Defeating an enemy means destroying or breaking their will to fight, and we are achieving this by cumulatively eliminating their operatives, commanders, and senior leadership,” he noted.
The Major General highlighted that the armed forces have been systematically dismantling the terrorists’ critical assets, including logistics, administrative, and combat capabilities. These efforts are bolstered by regional and international collaborations and strategic media engagement, all aimed at undermining the terrorists’ operational capacity.
“Wars are fought and won by breaking the enemy’s will to fight, and we are resolute in achieving just that,” he said. “We understand this is not a quick fix but a long-term military operation, one that will ultimately result in the destruction of these terror groups and a safer nation for all.”
Buba acknowledged the public’s desire for an end to insecurity, expressing the military’s determination to completely eradicate terrorism.
“We are committed to seeing this through, creating a future where insecurity is a thing of the past, and our citizens can live in peace and security,” he concluded.
