Retired General Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Minister of Defense, claims that despite fresh terrorist and bandit attacks in the Northeast, Nigeria’s military continues to maintain control over insecurity.
Following a strategic conference with senior military officers and Service Chiefs to evaluate operational tactics across several theaters of action countrywide, Musa made the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to him, the purpose of the conference was to evaluate the state of security and bolster continuing efforts to combat terrorists and other criminal elements that pose a threat to national security.
“We had a brief meeting with military men to go over our plan for all of our theaters across the nation.
He declared, “We are aware of the problems on the ground, but I want to reassure Nigerians that members of the Armed Forces are working tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure.”
While acknowledging that the military had recorded some casualties during operations, the minister emphasized that bandits and terrorists were incurring greater losses.
“We are aware that there have been some casualties, but I can assure you that the bandits and terrorists are taking more.”
“We are destroying their assets and eliminating more of their commanders, and we will keep doing that,” he continued.
Noting that addressing insecurity necessitated a whole-of-government and society approach, Musa urged Nigerians to keep supporting the Armed Forces and other security services.
He cautioned against the dissemination of incorrect information on social media, emphasizing that it could jeopardize security initiatives and lower soldier morale.
He said that rather than depending on unreliable internet reports, residents should always confirm security-related information with the Armed Forces.
Additionally, the minister urged media outlets to be professional and refrain from spreading terrorist propaganda by disseminating videos and other materials created by criminal organizations.
“You give them the chance to shine and use their photos and videos as propaganda to demoralize our troops,” he said.
Musa also cautioned Nigerians that anyone giving terrorists information or logistical support would be considered an accomplice and encouraged them to report suspicious activity to security services right away.
He congratulated Olatunji Disu, the new Inspector-General of Police, and praised President Bola Tinubu for his sustained support of the Armed Forces and other security services.
He gave the new IGP his word that they will work closely together to solve security issues.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the gathering coincides with an increase in terrorist attacks and banditry in the country’s northeast.
While defending ground against the militants, the military has lost several soldiers in the past week.
Similarly, in recent operations throughout the theater, numerous terrorists and their leaders have been killed.
On Wednesday, however, the Senate expressed serious worry over the lethal attack on a Nigerian Army formation and grieved the soldiers lost in the Kukawa attack in Borno.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a motion made by Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno North) at plenary in Abuja prompted the senate to observe a minute of silence for the troops.
The motion was made by Monguno, who stated that the military stationed in Kukawa Local Government Area were the target of a coordinated attack by suspected rebels in the early hours of March 9.
According to him, the soldiers engaged in a protracted combat that lasted about 24 hours as the assailants came from multiple directions, but they valiantly fought.
Lt.-Col. Umar Farouq’s death was especially regretted by the senator, who described him as a pivotal figure in the reestablishment of calm in Kukawa following an insurgent raid.
“Lt.-Col. Farouk was crucial in helping displaced residents return,” he recalled.
The congressman described the incident as part of fresh rebel offensives and revealed that numerous military vehicles were damaged and weapons were looted during the assault.
He claimed that despite continuous counter-insurgency efforts under Operation Hadin Kai to dismantle extremist networks in the Northeast, the incident nevertheless occurred.
Monguno added that one soldier was killed on Wednesday morning when rebels attacked Doro, another hamlet in the Kukawa Local Government Area.
“I received reports of another attack even this morning as I came to present this motion,” he stated.
However, the congressman praised the bravery and selflessness of the police and troops maintaining Nigeria’s territorial integrity and shielding people from rebel assault.
We honor their courage, tenacity, and fervor. According to Monguno, their efforts have assisted in regaining areas that were previously firmly under the control of Boko Haram militants.
Sen. Shehu Lawal (APC Borno Central), who seconded the motion, stated that something had to be done immediately since the insurgency in Borno has resurfaced at an alarming rate.
Additionally, I would like to praise the troops for continuing to fulfill their duties. He stated, “They fought this insurgency steadfastly in order to let our people sleep with their eyes closed.”
Following that, the Senate observed a minute of silence in remembrance of the soldiers who, according to the Senate, made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the nation from insurgent attacks.
The senate also praised the soldiers of Operation Hadin Kai for their tenacity and dedication to protecting people throughout the unstable North-East region of Nigeria.
In order to support the ongoing efforts to put an end to the insurgency, the lawmakers also encouraged the Nigerian Armed Forces to step up intelligence collection, surveillance, and logistical support.
As the discussion came to an end, Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised Monguno for his assistance to the Nigerian army in the Northeast region.
President Bola Tinubu is trying his hardest to address the nation’s insecurity, according to Akpabio.
Nonetheless, the Federal Government of Nigeria has been given seven working days by the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) to apprehend and punish terrorists who are purportedly known to the government.
This came after Islamic preacher Ahmad Gumi made bombshell assertions that the government knew the identities and whereabouts of all terrorists active in the nation.
The civil rights organization issued a warning that if Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration did not take decisive action within the allotted time, it would be forced to escalate the situation internationally. This would include submitting formal petitions to Donald Trump, the US Congress, and the International Criminal Court, requesting an investigation into what it called the Nigerian government’s “apparent tolerance or protection of terrorists responsible for mass killings across the country.”
HURIWA said in a strongly worded statement released in Abuja on Wednesday that Gumi’s recent broadcast remarks had brought up serious legal and national security issues that the federal authorities need to address immediately.
The organization remembered that the Kaduna-based preacher openly stated in a DRTV interview that the Nigerian government is aware of every terrorist’s identify and precise location within the nation.
Gumi further said that security authorities were aware of and present throughout his contentious excursions to bandit camps.
Gumi asserts that “the government knows every terrorist by name and location” and that the police, military, and other security organizations accompany him when he interacts with armed groups.
In response to the revelation, HURIWA stated that if the assertion is accurate, it would be one of the most startling admissions of official failure in Nigeria’s continuing fight against terrorism.
“HURIWA is deeply troubled by the statement attributed to Sheikh Ahmad Gumi.
Nigerians should know why these criminals continue to roam freely, abducting youngsters, killing farmers, attacking towns, and destabilizing the country if the Federal Government does, in fact, know every terrorist by name and location as alleged, according to the organization.
The group maintained that there can be no explanation for the ongoing violence in multiple states if the government already has actionable intelligence identifying terrorists and their hiding places.
As a result, the statement continued, “we are giving the Federal Government of Nigeria seven working days to arrest the terrorists whose identities and locations are allegedly known to the authorities and to immediately begin their prosecution in accordance with Nigerian law.”
HURIWA went on to say that the cleric’s continuing freedom, in spite of his acknowledged contacts with terrorist organizations, raises severe concerns about Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy.
Why haven’t security forces invited Sheikh Gumi for in-depth interrogation or inquiry if he genuinely knows a great deal about the identities and whereabouts of terrorists?
His claim that the government is already aware of these terrorists but has not taken anything is supported by his freedom from scrutiny, the group stated.
The rights group threatened to launch international legal campaign to hold Nigeria’s government responsible for what it termed as crimes against humanity resulting from ongoing terrorist assaults if no tangible action is taken within seven working days.
“HURIWA will formally petition the International Criminal Court, the United States Congress, and President Donald Trump’s administration to demand a global inquiry into the Nigerian government’s handling of terrorism, including the possibility that state negligence or complicity is enabling these atrocities,” the statement read.
According to the group, serial massacres, kidnappings, and attacks on people in Nigeria qualify as crimes against humanity under international law if authorities intentionally refuse to stop them.
Additionally, HURIWA identified a number of legal sources that established that people may be held criminally liable if they know about major crimes but do not report or take action.
The group cited Section 10 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, which makes it illegal to knowingly aid, facilitate, or withhold information about terrorist activity.
The organization also cited sections of the Criminal Code Act that acknowledge the crime of accessory after the fact, which occurs when someone knowingly helps criminals avoid punishment.
HURIWA also highlighted the seminal case of R v. Sykes, which established criminal liability for anyone who intentionally aids criminals or protects them from prosecution.
The Nigerian Supreme Court’s ruling in FRN v. Osahon, another pertinent authority, reiterated the obligation of people and law enforcement agencies to work together to prosecute criminals and stop impunity.
The rights group claims that these court rulings uphold the idea that having reasonable knowledge of illegal activity but failing to report or prevent it could be considered cooperation.
“Aiding and abetting crime can be defined by the law as remaining silent or doing nothing in the face of known illegal activity. Because of this, the Federal Government must quickly ascertain whether Sheikh Gumi’s allegations are true and, if so, take swift action to neutralize these terrorists, according to HURIWA.
The organization emphasized that at a time when millions of Nigerians are always in danger of terrorist attacks, the ultimatum is meant to force openness and swift action.
“HURIWA would not tolerate the everyday massacre of Nigerians. Excuses are no longer acceptable if the government is aware of these terrorists’ whereabouts.
“Now is the moment for arrests and prosecutions,” the group said.
