Military Blames Foreign Fighters’ Influx For Resurging Terror Attacks

The Military High Command says foreign fighters serving as reinforcements for Boko Haram terrorists are responsible for the resurging terrorists’ activities across the North East and North West regions of Nigeria.

This assertion comes on the heels of recent deadly attacks on military bases and civilian populations in the two geo-political zones.

Particularly, over 40 farmers were murdered on Saturday, January 11 at Dumba in Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, an unfortunate development that has further raised concerns about the escalating security situation in the country.

The immediate past Director, Defence Media Operations, Major-General Edward Buba dropped the hints while addressing journalists at Defence Headquarters, Abuja on Thursday during a farewell briefing.

General Buba, redeployed from the position by the Military last week, blamed the recent spike in terrorists’ activities on the influx of fighters from the Sahelian region who are collaborating with local accomplices.

He stated thus; “The resurgence in terror attacks can be attributable to the influx of foreign fighters who came in as reinforcements for these terrorists.

“These foreign fighters are from the Sahelian Region. The other contributing factor is the support from local collaborators who serve as informants, reporting on troops, movements”.

However, he said the current challenging situation notwithstanding, Nigerians should rest assured that the Military remained committed to eradicating terrorism from the country.

According to General Buba, the Military is not relenting in its resolve to completely destroy the terrorists’ to sustain the fight, stressing that international pressure is also being applied to decimate them.

Assuredly, the Senior officer said; “In spite of the situation, troops are profoundly conscious of their role and responsibility in ending insurgency and terrorism in the nation. Though we might record occasional tactical setbacks.

“Our strategic objective remains unhindered and it is to break the terrorist will to fight. In essence, defeating an enemy means destroying or breaking his will to fight.

“And we are achieving this by the cumulative efforts of killing their operatives, Commanders and senior leadership.

“We are taking away their most important assets such as their logistics, administrative and fighting capabilities.

“And of course, we are applying regional and international pressure, as well as engaging the media. All these combine to destroy the terrorists’ will to fight.”

On the long-term nature of the counter-terrorism efforts, General Buba said; “Wars are fought and won all over the world by destroying the enemies’ will to fight. And we are bent on achieving just that.

“We understand that this war is not a quick fix, but a long and enduring military operation at the end of which these terrorists will be destroyed and we will have a better world.

“Reiterating the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring security using the slang for 2025″, Buba said; “The military dey for you, dey for us’. Significantly, as you “dey for, who dey for you” this year. Know that, “the military dey for you, dey for us.”

While admitting that a lot must still be done to effectively combat the terrorists’ criminal activities, the Army General said; “Sadly, we are not there yet but inching closer every passing day.

“On the whole, security is everybody’s business. We must not compromise on security, otherwise, we compromise everyone’s security.”

The former Defence Media Director also used the occasion to reel out the troops’ successes in the recent past, saying; “It is in light of the above that, during the period under review, troops neutralised 156, arrested 464 persons and rescued 181 kidnapped hostages”.

Additionally, General Buba disclosed that within the period, the troops also arrested 29 suspected oil thieves while recovering stolen products worth N623.4 million.