Nigeria’s Defence Minister orders emergency operational overhaul as terrorists target military bases

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa, has ordered an urgent overhaul of military operations across the North-East and North-West following a wave of deadly terrorist attacks on military formations that has claimed the lives of several soldiers and senior officers.

Musa directed service chiefs to immediately proceed to both regions to review and strengthen ongoing military operations. The directive was issued during a high-level security meeting held at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja, where the minister met with top military commanders to assess the worsening security situation. According to the minister’s media aide, Timothy Antigha, the military leaders are expected to submit detailed reports to the minister after completing their field assessments.

Speaking after the meeting, Musa assured Nigerians that the armed forces remain in control despite the renewed terrorist offensive. “We had a quick meeting with members of the services to review our strategy in all our theatres within the country. We are aware of the issues on ground, but I want to assure Nigerians that members of the armed forces are working tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure,” he said.

The emergency meeting was triggered by a series of brazen attacks on military positions. Insurgents recently invaded a military base in Borno State, killing a senior officer identified as Lieutenant Colonel S.I. Iliyasu, the commanding officer of 222 Battalion, in the Konduga area. Separately, Boko Haram insurgents raided a military base in Gwoza, killing over 300 civilians in a subsequent community attack.

A motion tabled in the Senate also noted that suspected insurgents launched a coordinated attack on a military formation in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, approaching the base from multiple directions and engaging troops in intense fighting. The attack resulted in the death of Lieutenant Colonel Umar Faru alongside other soldiers, with military vehicles set ablaze and weapons looted during the assault.

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Senator Ali Ndume, who raised concerns on the Senate floor, warned that several communities including Mafa, Baga, and Konduga had recently come under attack, resulting in the deaths of civilians and military personnel including commanding officers. “In a couple of days, we lost about three commanding officers as a result of this renewed resurgence,” he stated.

Despite the losses, the minister struck a defiant tone. Musa acknowledged that the military had suffered casualties but maintained that terrorists and bandits were taking heavier hits. “We know we have suffered some casualties, but I can tell you the terrorists and bandits are taking more. We are taking out more of their commanders and destroying their assets, and we will continue to do that,” he said.

The minister also addressed the media, warning journalists against amplifying terrorist propaganda. Musa urged media organisations not to circulate terrorist videos or messaging, cautioning that doing so gives insurgents a platform to undermine troop morale. He also warned that individuals providing logistics or intelligence to terrorists would be treated as accomplices.

The Senate, for its part, commended troops of Operation Hadin Kai for their resilience and called on the armed forces to intensify counter-insurgency operations by strengthening intelligence gathering, surveillance, and logistics support.