Defense and Security
No Ceasefire With Boko Haram, DHQ Declares, Says 435 Terrorists Killed
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed reports of a ceasefire agreement between the Federal Government and Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) 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 there was no agreement to halt hostilities against insurgents.
The clarification followed a report by The New Humanitarian alleging that the Federal Government had entered into a secret ceasefire agreement with the Boko Haram faction led by Bakura Doro.
The report, which cited three sources with contacts among senior Boko Haram members, claimed the truce had been in effect since June and contributed to relative calm in parts of the North-East for about three months. It added that the agreement was expected to be extended.
However, speaking during a joint security briefing in Abuja, the Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen Samaila Uba, categorically denied the existence of any ceasefire.
“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 added.
He warned that individuals involved in criminal activities would either be neutralised through lawful military operations or brought to justice.
On reports that insurgents were moving into areas where they had previously maintained little or no presence, the defence spokesman described the development as an indication of the impact of ongoing military operations.
He, however, assured that the Armed Forces were monitoring the situation and 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 cited the recent neutralisation of a high-ranking terrorist in a forest area as evidence that insurgents would not find safe havens anywhere in the country.
He added that the military was mapping out suspected relocation areas and taking proactive measures to prevent terrorists from establishing new footholds.
The Defence Information Director also disclosed that recent adjustments to the Armed Forces’ order of battle, including the establishment of new formations, battalions and units, were designed to address security gaps and strengthen military presence in vulnerable locations.
Providing an update on military operations, Uba said troops carried out 588 distinct security operations across the country in September and October.
He disclosed that the operations resulted in the neutralisation of 435 terrorists and bandits, including high-profile commanders identified as Ali Mandara, Abba Gajiri, Habu Ikkima, Nakif Yana Faruk, Commander Gogore and Abdussamad Ohida.
According to him, troops also arrested 809 suspects, secured the voluntary surrender of 198 insurgents and rescued 717 kidnapped victims and captives.
Among those rescued were 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Owerri, Imo State, and 11 individuals in Danko-Wasagu, Kebbi State.
He further identified Buniyadi, Baga, Kukawa, Bittai and the Owo forest as locations where troops recorded major tactical breakthroughs that significantly weakened terrorist networks.
Uba said the military also recovered 5,666 arms, ammunition, explosives and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), alongside critical logistical assets, as part of efforts to dismantle the operational capabilities of armed groups.
He reiterated that the Armed Forces would sustain the offensive against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements to prevent them from expanding their activities to other parts of the country.
