The Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, has asserted that the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgents are not merely targeting the armed forces but are instead waging war on the Nigerian nation as a whole.
Speaking in Maiduguri during an interaction with defence correspondents on a media tour of the theatre of operations on Tuesday, Abubakar described the insurgency as an asymmetric conflict, which presents a complex and unconventional challenge to the military.
He emphasized the importance of framing terrorism correctly, urging media professionals to view and present it as a national crisis.
“We have our troops here in the field spreading to different locations during these harsh weather conditions, which can rapidly become also very cold at night.
“So there are heroes, and I tell you, we will do well to appreciate them occasionally, and the only way to do that is through the media.
“These are also Nigerians, and it is not the terrorists against the armed forces. It is the terrorists against Nigeria as a nation.
“So once we begin to understand this and have a common front, we will be able to make very tangible progress,” he said.
Maj.-Gen. Abubakar commended the dedication of the troops, highlighting their continued sacrifices to stabilize communities ravaged by terrorist activities.
He also noted the military’s commitment to upholding human rights across all engagements in the conflict zone.
Brig.-Gen. Adamu Ibrahim, Chief of Staff of Operation Hadin Kai, addressed concerns over the treatment of female members of the terrorist groups, clarifying that the military adheres strictly to international humanitarian law.
Ibrahim explained, “As long as their wife and children do not take up arms and engage in direct combat operations in this, then they are not Boko Haram combatants.
“The Nigerian military fully enforces and upholds human rights laws, and as such, we would not violate the laws against Boko Haram by engaging their families.”
He added that Nigeria, being a signatory to the international law of armed conflict, is bound by its provisions, which protect non-combatants, especially women and children, as well as disengaged fighters.
Maj. Ademola Owolana, while giving an operational briefing, detailed the Joint Task Force’s efforts to check insurgent movements across the northeast region.
He said despite considerable progress, certain challenges persist, among them drone surveillance by terrorists, internal sabotage by fifth columnists, and the widespread use of improvised explosive devices.
He recounted a recent engagement in Kukawa where his unit, with air support, successfully repelled an attack.
“The covering was two motorcycles, and 28 terrorists,” he stated.
Owolana noted that the insurgents are now targeting remote settlements to secure supplies, equipment, and potential recruits, describing the current tactics as signs of desperation among JAS and ISWAP commanders.
“This threat profile suggests desperation of JAS and ISWAP leaders to reassess themselves, demonstrate strength, recruit more fighters, and amass logistics interpolation for future offensives across the theatre,” he explained.
