No Ceasefire Agreement With Boko Haram – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed suggestions of a ceasefire with Boko Haram terrorists.

It declared that military operations against insurgents and other criminal groups remain ongoing across the country.

The director, Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, gave the clarification when he responded to journalists’ questions at a joint briefing by defence, security and intelligence agencies organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja, yesterday.

He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria has sustained an unrelenting multi-layered campaign of coordinated land, air and maritime operations across all geo-political zones resulting in the neutralisation of 435 terrorists and rescue of 717 kidnapped victims.

Uba said the sustained neutralisation of terrorists, arrests of suspects and rescue of abducted victims demonstrated that the Armed Forces were not relenting in their operations.

“On the issue of whether there is a ceasefire with Boko Haram, I want to make it clear that there is nothing like a ceasefire.

“Considering the terrorists neutralised, suspects arrested, victims rescued and other successes recorded across our operations, it is clear that we are not relenting.

“We will continue to sustain pressure on these criminal elements,” he said.

Uba stressed that military operations were not limited to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), but also targeted kidnappers and other criminal elements threatening innocent citizens.

“Anyone involved in criminal activities that threaten the lives and security of Nigerians will either be eliminated through lawful military operations or brought to justice,” he said.

On reports of insurgents moving into other parts of the country, Uba described the development as an indication of the pressure mounted on their former locations by military operations.

He, however, warned that the Armed Forces would not allow the terrorists to establish new footholds elsewhere.

“The fact that some of them are leaving their former locations is a testimony to the successes of our operations.

“However, I assure you that we are not taking the situation lightly,” he said.

Uba said the military was mapping locations where the insurgents might have relocated and taking proactive measures to prevent them from establishing bases.

He cited the recent neutralisation of a high-level terrorist in a forest area as evidence that criminal elements would find no safe haven anywhere in Nigeria.

The defence spokesman also linked the ongoing military restructuring, including the establishment of new formations, battalions and units, to efforts to close security gaps and strengthen military presence across the country.

He said the adjustments to the Armed Forces’ order of battle were designed to address emerging threats and improve operational coverage.

Uba further disclosed that the recent high-level forum on repositioning the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) examined the implications of the withdrawal of some countries from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

He said the forum brought together serving and former force commanders, academics and other stakeholders to assess past achievements, identify operational gaps and explore diplomatic options.

According to him, implementation of some of the recommendations has commenced, with expected benefits to become evident soon.

Uba said under the strategic leadership of President Bola Tinubu and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, troops executed 588 distinct security operations in September and October.

He said troops neutralised 435 terrorists and bandits, including high-profile commanders such as Ali Mandara, Abba Gajiri, Habu Ikkima, Nakif Yana Faruk, Commander Gogore and Abdussamad Ohida.

Uba said troops arrested 809 suspects, secured the voluntary surrender of 198 insurgents and successfully liberated 717 kidnapped victims and captives.
He listed rescued victims to include 20 prospective NYSC members in Owerri, Imo State and 11 individuals in Danko-Wasagu, Kebbi State.

According to him, troops recorded major tactical breakthroughs in Buniyadi, Baga, Kukawa, Bittai and the Owo forest, which severely fractured enemy networks.

Uba said to dismantle their war-making capacity, troops recovered 5,666 arms, ammunition, explosives and Improvised Explosive Devices, alongside vital logistical assets.

In the Niger Delta, he said economic protection operations destroyed 57 illegal refining sites and recovered over 1,061,000 litres of stolen petroleum products, directly boosting national crude production.

The defence spokesman said while security hotspots persist in Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Katsina, Kwara, Zamfara, Sokoto, Plateau, Benue, Niger, Oyo and Kaduna, forces continue to adapt through aggressive synergy clearance patrols and deep inter-agency.

Beyond tactical theatres, he said the DHQ championed indigenous defence manufacturing and technology transfer at Africa International Defence Exhibition 2026.

He added that DHQ convened high-level regional forums to reposition the Multinational Joint Task Force in Lake Chad basin and prioritised personnel welfare through veteran engagement tours and launch of Defence Discount Shop in partnership with Konga and Zinox.