The Defence Headquarters said, on Thursday, that Nigeria is in a state of war, given the deployment of troops across the different regions of the country.
While describing Saturday’s multiple suicide bombings in the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State as an indication of an “ending cycle of terrorism,” the DHQ asked Nigerians not to lose trust in the security agencies.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday during the Strategic Communication Inter-Agency Policy Committee in Abuja, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba said there was no other way to describe the situation in which the country had found itself than to admit that it was in a state of war.
Buba said, “I will say that we should all know that we are in a state of war because, in a situation where you are involved in counter-terrorism, with our troops deployed all across the length and breadth of this country in various theatres, there is no other way to describe it than a state of war. Now, when you’re at war, ugly things happen, and that is what has happened in Gwoza.”
He said more than before, the military needed the support and trust of the citizens to confront the insurgents.
He also stressed the need for unity at this time.
The PUNCH reports that the Borno suicide bombings claimed no fewer than 38 lives and left scores injured, attracting global condemnation.
He insisted that the Boko Haram war was nearing the end as the insurgents had been significantly degraded.
Buba said, “In associating what has happened with our operations, I will say that what has happened in Gwoza is what happens at the ending cycle of terrorism. At this phase, the terrorists are carrying out their acts to do what? One is to attract attention, then to bolster relevance, then to mobilise support, and finally, to reduce support for the armed forces and the Nigerian government at large. I will use this opportunity to tell citizens to stand united.”
Buba urged the citizens not to, as a result of the attacks, lose trust in the security agencies.
He said, “We must continue to place our trust in the security agencies across the country and continue to support the security forces in overcoming the security challenges that we are facing.”
Reacting to the outcry about the Nigerian Army School of Islamic Affairs, Buba said the military has a chaplain school for both Christian and Islamic religions.
He said being a military personnel was not an avenue to be an atheist.
He said, “Why does the military have a School of Islamic Affairs? I will tell you that the military does not only have the School of Islamic Affairs; we also have the Chaplain School. Being military men does not make us not to be spiritually inclined.
“They say that life is spiritual. Things start from the spiritual before we see them in the physical. We in the military are also aware of that, so we pray. We pray according to our religion, be it Christianity or Islam.
“And what is the purpose of a school? It’s to develop and build capacity. So, if you want somebody to go and preach to others, he should know what he’s preaching about. He should be able to read the scriptures from one point to the other in whatever religion so that he can communicate that breakdown to the troops and build their faith.”
Reeling out the achievements of the security agencies in the month of June, the Nigeria Police Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said 867 terrorists were killed and 1,638 arrested.
He said, “In summary, military operations by the armed forces in June 2024 neutralised 867 terrorists, arrested 1,638 suspected terrorists and other criminal elements as well as rescued 921 kidnapped hostages. Furthermore, troops recovered 894 weapons, and 21,538 rounds of ammunition and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over N5bn.”
He added that law enforcement agencies in joint collaboration had been proactive in maintaining law and order amidst the ongoing security challenges across the country.
“Law enforcement agencies have arrested a total of 2,678 suspects for various offences across the country in the month of June. A total number of 93 kidnap victims have been rescued unhurt and reunited with their families, and a total number of 144 firearms and 3,031 rounds of ammunition have been recovered within the period under review,” Adejobi said.
