Following an increase in blatant terrorist assaults, Nigeria's Minister of Defense, Christopher Musa, has instructed the service chiefs to promptly adjust military operations across different theaters. After an emergency combat audit with the service chiefs the day before at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, Mr. Musa revealed this in a Facebook post on Thursday. Mr. Musa, a retired army general and former chief of defense staff, reportedly called the service chiefs on Wednesday and acknowledged the deaths of military personnel while pointing out that the terrorists had suffered more casualties.
Terrorists thought to be members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have slain at least three senior military officers in the past week.
Additionally, the militants have struck over five military formations in the northeast, causing significant damage and losses to the armed forces.
ISWAP and Boko Haram, led by Ali Ndulge in Mandara Mountain, Gwoza, also stormed Ngoshe in a rare operational cooperation that resulted in the deaths of several residents and the kidnapping of more than 100 women and children.
The troops apparently took back the settlement on Wednesday, but the kidnappers are still being held captive. The discussion between Mr. Musa and the service chiefs took place at the same time that the village was retaken.
The minister claims that after reviewing recent attacks and evaluating the efficacy of existing military operations, the meeting produced new operational directions intended to destroy terrorist and bandit networks that pose a threat to the nation.
Mr. Musa stated that the military leadership has mandated a "forceful recalibration" of operations in the affected areas, while noting that precise tactical changes are still classified to safeguard personnel and ensure mission success.
The service chiefs "have been tasked with an immediate and forceful recalibration of military operations across multiple theaters in various regions to dismantle the networks of terrorists and bandits threatening our nation," according to Mr. Musa.
To improve troop coordination and increase pressure on armed groups, he continued, the service chiefs are now exercising direct, on-site command.
During the conference, Mr. Musa added, the armed forces thoroughly examined Nigeria's national military plan to guarantee prompt and decisive reactions to new security risks.
He claims that the updated plan offers a more robust operational structure to provide quantifiable outcomes in continuing counterterrorism initiatives.
The defense chief stated that despite the recent attacks, troops have continued to score victories on the battlefield, including the destruction of terrorist networks and the neutralization of important terrorist commanders.
He declared, "I can guarantee Nigerians that our efforts will continue relentlessly until these elements are fully dismantled."
For more than ten years, Nigeria has struggled with banditry and insurgency, especially in the north, where armed gangs and terrorist organizations have frequently assaulted military formations and villages.
Jihadi organizations and criminal bandits are now building bases in areas of Oyo, Ondo, and other southern states as the insurgency moves south.