The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has dismissed suggestions of a ceasefire with Boko Haram terrorists, declaring that military operations against insurgents and other criminal groups remain ongoing across the country.
The Director, Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, gave the clarification while responding to questions from journalists at a joint briefing by defence, security and intelligence agencies on Thursday in Abuja.
The news conference was organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA.
Mr Uba said the sustained neutralisation of terrorists, arrests of suspects and rescue of abducted victims demonstrated that the Armed Forces were not relenting in their operations.
”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.
Mr Uba noted that military operations were not limited to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), but also targeted kidnappers and other criminal elements threatening innocent citizens.
”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 said.
On reports of insurgents moving into other parts of the country, Uba described the development as an indication of the pressure mounted on their former locations by military operations. He however, warned that the armed forces would not allow the terrorists to establish new footholds elsewhere.
”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.
Mr Uba said the military was mapping locations where the insurgents might have relocated and taking proactive measures to prevent them from establishing bases. He cited the recent neutralisation of a high-level terrorist in a forest area as evidence that criminal elements would find no safe haven anywhere in Nigeria.
The defence spokesman also linked the ongoing military restructuring, including the establishment of new formations, battalions and units, to efforts to close security gaps and strengthen military presence across the country. He said the adjustments to the armed forces’ order of battle were designed to address emerging threats and improve operational coverage.
Mr Uba further disclosed that the recent high-level forum on repositioning the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) examined the implications of the withdrawal of some countries from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). He said the forum brought together serving and former force commanders, academics and other stakeholders to assess past achievements, identify operational gaps and explore diplomatic options.
According to him, implementation of some of the recommendations has commenced, with expected benefits to become evident soon.