Foreign fighters behind recent terrorist attacks in north-east, says DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says the surge in terrorist activities in the country’s north-east and north-west is fuelled by an influx of foreign fighters.

Recently, Nigeria experienced attacks on military bases and civilians, sparking worries about the country’s national security architecture.

Speaking at the maiden military press briefing of the year, Edward Buba, director of defence media operations, attributed the development to a “collaboration” between Sahelian fighters and local accomplices.

“The resurgence in terror attacks can be attributable to the influx of foreign fighters who came in as reinforcements for these terrorists,” Buba said.

“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.”

Buba reassured Nigerians of the military’s dedication to eliminating terrorism by breaking the terrorists’ will to fight.

“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,” he said.

“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 effort 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.”

The defence spokesperson said troops have continued to target the terrorists’ key assets, including their logistics, administrative structures, and combat capabilities.

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

“Wars are fought and won all over the world by destroying the enemy’s 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.

“Overall, we understand that we all want to be in a different situation — a situation whereby all this insecurity is over and the terrorist is completely eradicated,” he added.