…554 Terrorists, Criminals Neutralised, 1,736 Kidnapped Victims Rescued In Three Months
…President Reviews Military Operations, Troop Welfare, Weapons Upgrade As Insecurity Persists
Daud Olatunji
President Bola Tinubu on Monday met with the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), in Lagos as the Federal Government intensified its efforts to contain terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats confronting the country.
The meeting came against the backdrop of disturbing military statistics showing that troops confronted 367 attacks across various theatres of operation in September alone, highlighting the scale of the security challenge facing the nation.
The strategic meeting, held at the Presidential Residence in Lagos, focused on the national defence framework, ongoing counter-insurgency and anti-banditry operations, operational logistics, troop welfare and the modernisation of military hardware.
A statement by the Ministry of Defence said the engagement was aimed at reviewing ongoing military operations and strengthening inter-agency security strategies to sustain peace and security across the country.
The meeting also examined proposed reforms aimed at boosting troop morale and strengthening military infrastructure across the various theatres of operation.
The development comes as the military continues to battle terrorists and bandits who have maintained attacks on communities, abducted civilians and disrupted economic activities in several parts of the country.
According to figures released by the military, troops conducting operations nationwide between July and September neutralised 554 terrorists and other criminals, arrested 1,333 suspects and rescued 1,736 kidnapped victims.
The operations also resulted in the surrender of 333 insurgents and the recovery of 244 firearms and 8,160 rounds of ammunition.
However, the latest figures on military operations have also exposed the continuing intensity of the security crisis, with the Defence Headquarters reporting 367 attacks in September alone.
The attacks occurred across several operational theatres, with Operation Enduring Peace recording the highest number at 147.
Operation Fansan Yamma recorded 115 incidents, while Operation Whirl Stroke accounted for 55 attacks.
Operation Hadin Kai, which is primarily responsible for counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, recorded 33 incidents, while Operation Savannah Shield recorded 13 and Operation Udo Ka four.
The figures underline the complex nature of Nigeria’s security crisis, which has continued to evolve from conventional insurgency to a combination of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violent criminality.
Despite the reported military successes, thousands of Nigerians continue to live under the threat of attacks and abductions, particularly in vulnerable communities across the North-West, North-East and North-Central regions.
The security situation has also continued to affect farming, movement and economic activities, with communities frequently forced to seek protection from armed groups.
Speaking during the Lagos meeting, Tinubu expressed satisfaction with what he described as steady progress in securing vulnerable communities across Nigeria.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to giving full support to the Ministry of Defence and the military in the ongoing campaign against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.
Musa, in his briefing, reportedly presented the President with an update on current defence initiatives, frontline operational logistics and proposed reforms intended to improve the effectiveness of the armed forces.
The Minister also outlined measures to improve troop morale, modernise military equipment and strengthen defence infrastructure across the country.
Musa thanked Tinubu for his continued guidance and support for the nation’s security apparatus, assuring that the Ministry of Defence remained determined to fulfil its mandate.
He pledged that the ministry would continue to execute its responsibilities with firmness and integrity.
The meeting is part of Tinubu’s continuing security briefings with senior government and military officials as his administration seeks to coordinate a more effective response to the country’s security challenges.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the President’s engagement with the Defence Minister comes at a critical period when the government is under growing pressure to translate reported battlefield successes into sustained security for communities affected by terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
While the military’s reported neutralisation of 554 terrorists and criminals and the rescue of 1,736 kidnapped victims represent significant operational gains, the 367 attacks recorded in September demonstrate that armed groups remain capable of mounting attacks in different parts of the country.
The latest meeting therefore places renewed emphasis on the government’s ability to close the gap between military operations and the everyday security of Nigerians.
For communities repeatedly exposed to attacks, the ultimate measure of success will not only be the number of terrorists neutralised or weapons recovered, but whether residents can return to their farms, schools, markets and homes without fear of being killed or abducted.
The Federal Government is expected to sustain its military operations while strengthening intelligence gathering, inter-agency coordination, troop welfare and the protection of vulnerable communities.
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