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By Abu Adamu
Nigeria’s military high command has ordered an urgent recalibration of counter-terror operations across multiple theatres, dispatching service chiefs to the North-East and North-West as part of a sweeping strategy review triggered by renewed insurgent attacks on military formations.
The directive followed an emergency combat audit convened in Abuja by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, with the service chiefs at the Ministry of Defence headquarters.
In a statement posted on his official platform, Musa said the high-level meeting reviewed Nigeria’s overall military posture and produced decisive operational adjustments aimed at dismantling terrorist and bandit networks threatening national security.
“The Service Chiefs have been tasked with an immediate and forceful recalibration of military operations across multiple theatres,” he said.
According to the CDS, commanders have been instructed to assume direct, on-site leadership of operations to ensure tighter coordination and sustained pressure on insurgent groups.
“We have completed a hard-hitting review of our national military strategy, ensuring we act swiftly and decisively against all threats with a stronger offensive posture designed to take the fight directly to these elements wherever they attempt to operate,” Musa stated.
He added that despite recent attacks, the armed forces were recording operational gains, including the elimination of key terrorist commanders and disruption of insurgent networks.
“I can assure Nigerians that our efforts will continue relentlessly until these elements are fully dismantled,” he said.
As part of the operational reset, the Minister of Defence also directed service chiefs to proceed immediately to the North-East and North-West theatres to assess the security situation firsthand and strengthen ongoing military operations.
The minister’s media adviser, Timothy Antigha, said the visits would enable the military leadership to review developments on the ground and submit detailed reports to guide further tactical responses.
The directive comes amid renewed attacks by insurgent groups, including the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram, targeting military positions in Borno State.
On March 9, insurgents launched a coordinated assault on a military formation in Kukawa Local Government Area, killing a commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Umar Farouq, after several hours of intense fighting.
Security sources said the attackers stormed the base from multiple directions, setting military vehicles ablaze and carting away weapons during the raid.
Farouq, who commanded operations in Kukawa and had played a key role in facilitating the return of displaced residents to the town, reportedly died from injuries sustained during the attack while being evacuated to Maiduguri.
The incident triggered alarm in the Senate on Wednesday, where lawmakers warned that insurgent violence in Borno State appeared to be resurging.
Presenting a motion during plenary, Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno said the Kukawa assault was part of a disturbing pattern of recent attacks targeting military commanders and formations across the North-East.
Lawmakers were informed that several senior officers had been killed in separate incidents in recent months, including Major U.I. Mairiga of the Mayenti base, Lieutenant Colonel S.I. Iliyasu in Konduga, and other officers in Damasak, Bama, and Gajiganna.
Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan described the developments as alarming, noting that multiple communities in Borno had come under simultaneous attacks in recent weeks.
Despite the concerns, the Senate commended the Armed Forces for their resilience and observed a minute of silence in honour of soldiers who lost their lives defending the country.
Meanwhile, the military has dismissed reports circulating online claiming that Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters had established a new enclave in Tuba, Jere Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources within Operation Hadin Kai said troops recently conducted clearance operations across Tuba and neighbouring communities including Dusuman, Jabarmari, Gongulong, and Ngom, as well as along the Maiduguri–Monguno and Maiduguri–Mafa highways.
According to the military, no evidence of insurgent concentration or new terrorist base was discovered during the operations, describing the reports as “false and misleading” narratives capable of creating unnecessary panic.
While ground operations intensify, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is also strengthening its operational capabilities.
During a strategic meeting in Abuja, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwah, reaffirmed their commitment to expanding Nigeria’s airpower to support counter-terrorism operations.
Aneke emphasised the importance of infrastructure development, fleet modernisation, personnel welfare, and enhanced training to sustain ongoing security missions across the country.
Both leaders expressed confidence that stronger coordination between the Ministry of Defence and the Air Force would reinforce operational effectiveness and consolidate gains in the fight against insurgency.