The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed reports of a secret ceasefire agreement between the Federal Government and Boko Haram, insisting that military operations against terrorists, kidnappers and other armed groups will continue across the country.
The military high command said troops were sustaining pressure on criminal groups, citing the neutralisation of 435 terrorists and bandits, arrest of 809 suspects and rescue of 717 kidnapped victims during operations in September and October.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, stated this on Thursday during a joint security briefing in Abuja.
His comments followed reports that the Federal Government had entered into a secret ceasefire agreement with the Boko Haram faction led by Bakura Doro, reportedly contributing to relative calm in parts of the North-East for about three months.
The report, citing three sources with contacts among senior Boko Haram members, said the truce had been in effect since June and was expected to be extended.
However, Uba categorically denied the existence of any such arrangement.
“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.
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“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.
The defence spokesman stressed that military operations were not limited to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), but also targeted kidnappers and other armed criminal groups threatening the 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,” Uba said.
He warned that individuals involved in criminal activities would either be neutralised through lawful military operations or brought to justice.
On reports of insurgents moving into areas where they were previously less active, Uba said the development reflected the impact of ongoing military operations but warned that the Armed Forces would not allow them to establish new bases.
He said the military was mapping out locations where the insurgents might have relocated to prevent them from gaining fresh footholds.
“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 also cited the recent neutralisation of a high-level terrorist in a forest area as evidence that insurgents would not find safe havens anywhere in the country.
He disclosed that recent adjustments to the Armed Forces’ order of battle, including the establishment of new formations, battalions and units, were aimed at closing security gaps and strengthening military presence in vulnerable areas.
Giving an account of military operations, Uba said troops conducted 588 distinct security operations across the country in September and October.
He said 435 terrorists and bandits were neutralised, 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 in Owerri, Imo State, and 11 individuals in Danko-Wasagu, Kebbi State.
Uba further identified Buniyadi, Baga, Kukawa, Bittai and Owo forest as locations where troops recorded major tactical breakthroughs, which he said severely weakened terrorist networks.
He added that troops recovered 5,666 arms, ammunition, explosives and improvised explosive devices, alongside other logistical assets, as part of efforts to dismantle the operational capacity of criminal groups.
The defence spokesman assured Nigerians that the military would sustain its operations to prevent terrorists and other armed groups from expanding their activities to other parts of the country.
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