Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), yesterday summoned Nigeria’s Service Chiefs to an emergency security meeting in Abuja and directed them to immediately review and strengthen military operations in the North-East and North-West following recent attacks on military formations.
The high-level meeting, held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence, brought together top military leadership including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Air Staff, Air-Marshal Sunday Aneke, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Idi Abass.
Representatives of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and other senior security officials were also in attendance.
Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Musa disclosed that the Dervice Chiefs had been directed to personally visit the North-East and North-West theatres of operation to assess the situation on ground and rejig ongoing military strategies to tackle the growing security threats in the regions. According to the Minister’s Media Adviser, Timothy Antigha, the Service Chiefs are expected to report their findings and recommendations after the visits.
The directive comes amid a recent surge in terrorist attacks, particularly in the North-East and North-West, where several military bases have come under assault and a number of personnel reportedly killed.
Despite the setbacks, Musa maintained that Nigerian troops are inflicting heavier losses on the insurgents. “Our troops are working tirelessly to protect Nigerians. While we have had some casualties, the terrorists are taking the bigger hit”, he said.
The Defence Minister also cautioned against the spread of misinformation on social media, warning that false narratives could undermine ongoing military operations and national security efforts.
He urged citizens to support security agencies by providing credible intelligence and reporting suspicious activities. “This is a challenge for all Nigerians, not just the Armed Forces,” Musa stated.
He further warned that individuals providing logistics, information, or any form of support to terrorist groups would be treated as accomplices and face the full weight of the law.
Musa expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly, and state governors for their continued support to the Armed Forces, expressing confidence that the country would eventually overcome its security challenges.
