The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has identified the recent surge in terrorist activities across Nigeria’s North-East and North-West regions as being partly caused by the arrival of foreign fighters from the Sahelian region, who have reinforced local terrorist groups.
This revelation was made during the first military briefing of the year, which also served as a farewell address by the outgoing Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba.
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Brig. Gen. Buba linked the rise in attacks, including deadly assaults on military bases and civilian populations, to the support these foreign fighters are providing to local terrorists.
He emphasized that these terrorists are collaborating with local accomplices, including informants who relay troop movements to the militants.
“The resurgence in terror attacks can be attributable to the influx of foreign fighters who came in as reinforcements for these terrorists. These foreign fighters are from the Sahelian region.
The other contributing factor is the support from local collaborators who serve as informants, reporting on troops’ movements,” Buba explained.
Despite the challenges posed by these foreign and local forces, Brig. Gen. Buba assured Nigerians of the military’s unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism, stating that the military was determined to break the terrorists’ will to fight through sustained efforts. “In spite of the situation, troops are profoundly conscious of their role and responsibility in ending insurgency and terror attacks in the nation. Though we might record occasional tactical setbacks, our strategic objective remains unhindered and it is to break the terrorist will to fight. In essence, defeating an enemy means destroying or breaking his will to fight,” he said.
The military is actively targeting terrorist leaders and critical resources, including logistics, administrative, and fighting capabilities. “We are achieving this by the cumulative effort of killing their operatives, Commanders, and senior leadership,” Buba added, stressing that regional and international pressure, alongside media engagement, is part of the broader strategy to destroy the terrorists’ resolve.
Buba also emphasized that the fight against terrorism would be long-term, with the ultimate goal being the complete defeat of the terrorist groups. “Wars are fought and won all over the world by destroying the enemies’ will to fight. And we are bent on achieving just that. We understand that this war is not a quick fix, but a long and enduring military operation at the end of which these terrorists will be destroyed, and we will have a better world,” he said.
In his farewell message, Buba stressed the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring national security, using the phrase for 2025: “The military dey for you, dey for us.” He concluded by stating, “Sadly, we are not there yet but inching closer every passing day. On the whole, security is everybody’s business. We must not compromise on security, otherwise, we compromise everyone’s security. Significantly, as you ‘dey for, who dey for you’ this year. Know that, ‘the military dey for you, dey for us.'”
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