By Abu Adamu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday pledged additional equipment and continued support for Nigeria’s armed forces as the military intensified operations against terrorists and bandits across the country.
The pledge came during a closed-door meeting between the President and security chiefs at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where top commanders briefed him on the current security situation and ongoing anti-terror operations nationwide.
Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, Rtd, said the service chiefs updated the President on developments on the battlefield and recent efforts to counter escalating attacks in parts of the country.
“The meeting was for the services to brief Mr President on the current situation on the ground,” Musa said.
“You know there have been a series of attacks and the security forces have risen to the occasion.”
He said the armed forces also used the opportunity to clarify public interpretations of some recent security incidents, noting that reports circulating in the media often did not reflect the full scope of ongoing military operations.
“Sometimes the interpretation, especially through the media, has not been too direct. We felt we should put the record straight,” he said.
Musa commended President Tinubu for what he described as sustained support for the armed forces and other security agencies involved in the fight against insurgency.
“We are glad that Mr President has continued to support the armed forces and other security agencies in the fight against insurgency,” he said.
The defence chief appealed to Nigerians not to lose confidence in the military despite recent attacks reported in several parts of the country.
“Our appeal to Nigerians is not to get tired and not to be discouraged. Sometimes when you hear the news you think that is all that is happening, but it is far from that,” he said.
According to him, security forces have inflicted significant losses on terrorists and bandit groups during recent operations.
“The terrorists and bandits are taking more casualties, and their commanders are being killed,” Musa said.
He, however, acknowledged that the military had also suffered casualties in the course of the ongoing operations.
“We have lost a number of very courageous officers and men. It is highly regrettable,” he said.
Musa disclosed that President Tinubu had approved additional equipment to strengthen the armed forces’ capacity to prosecute the war against terrorism more effectively.
“Mr President has promised more equipment for us to be able to prosecute the war effectively,” he said.
He added that the armed forces had adjusted their operational strategies to respond to emerging threats, particularly during the ongoing Ramadan period.
According to him, terrorist groups sometimes escalate attacks during Ramadan, believing their actions carry spiritual rewards.
“However, we have adjusted our strategies, and in the past few days, we have taken over several locations and neutralised some of their commanders,” Musa said.
He stressed that the country’s security agencies were working in close coordination to restore peace and stability nationwide.
“We are working together as a team, and we are confident we will succeed,” he said.
Those present at the meeting included the Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Air Staff, Sunday Aneke; Chief of Naval Staff, Idi Abbas; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu.
Also in attendance were the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed; the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi; and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Emmanuel Undiandeye.