President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday held a high-level security meeting with the Defence Minister, service chiefs, and intelligence heads at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, following recent security incidents across the country.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting on Thursday, Defence Minister General Christopher Musa said the briefing was aimed at updating the President on the progress of military operations, countering media reports suggesting terrorists were gaining momentum.
He appealed to Nigerians not to be discouraged, emphasizing that while some officers have been lost during operations, the military remains committed to restoring safety across the country.
“The terrorists and their commanders are being killed, and in the process, we have lost a number of officers and men, which is highly regrettable. But we want to assure Nigerians that we remain committed to ensuring that Nigeria is safe and secure,” General Musa said.
To strengthen security operations, the minister said President Tinubu has promised additional equipment and approved more resources.
Responding to questions about recent attacks, despite the military’s efforts, General Musa said terrorist groups often intensify their activities during the Ramadan period due to extremist beliefs about martyrdom.
“It’s usual for terrorists during the Ramadan period to feel that if they die, they are going to heaven. So they are ready to commit any offence or get killed because they believe there is a reward. But we have adjusted our strategies. In the past few days, we’ve regained control of some locations, neutralized their commanders, and seized their assets. We will continue to do more,” he said.
The military chief further assured Nigerians that all security agencies are working together and that the government remains confident of victory over insurgents.