Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has said the recent increase in terrorist attacks in the northern parts of the country is because jihadists believe they stand to gain a lot of reward when they die during Ramadan.
Musa spoke on Thursday shortly after President Bola Tinubu held a closed-door meeting with security chiefs at the presidential villa in Abuja.
Musa said terrorists and bandits are recording heavy casualties as the Nigerian military intensifies counterterrorism operations in the northern parts of the country.
The minister stated that security chiefs met with the president to brief him on the current situation on the ground.
“You know that there have been a series of attacks, and the security forces have actually risen to the occasion. We came here to brief him so he can have a better understanding of what’s going on,” the minister said.
“We know sometimes the interpretation, especially through the media, has not been too direct. We felt we should put the record straight, which we have done.”
He stated that although the military recently lost very courageous soldiers in the counterterrorism war, the terrorists have recorded greater losses.
“The terrorists and the bandits are taking more casualties. Their commanders are being killed. We have lost a number of very courageous officers and men, which is highly regrettable, but we want to assure Nigerians it is a commitment we are putting on the ground to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure,” he said.
Musa said Tinubu had promised to provide more equipment for the military to “prosecute the war” and secure victory.
The minister stressed that the Nigerian armed forces had adjusted their strategies after the recent attacks, during which troops killed several terrorist commanders.
“We have adjusted our strategies. You can see in the past few days we’ve taken over those locations. We’ve killed their commanders and taken over their assets. We’ll continue to do more,” he said.
Musa added that terrorists often intensify attacks during Ramadan because “they feel when 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.”
“I assure you Mr President has approved so many things that are coming on our line, and we’re working together as a team,” the minister said.
“You can see all members of the security forces are here to assure Nigerians and to assure Mr. President that we’re on track and we will succeed.”
Aside from the defence minister, those in attendance at the meeting included Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA); Adeola Ajayi, director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS); and Olufemi Oluyede, chief of defence staff (CDS).
Others were Waidi Shaibu, chief of army staff; Kelvin Aneke, chief of air staff; and Idi Abbas, chief of naval staff.
