Defence minister summons service chiefs over renewed attacks on military bases
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, rtd, has summoned the nation’s service chiefs to an emergency meeting in Abuja following a surge in attacks on military formations, particularly in the North-East.
The high-level meeting, held on Wednesday at the Ministry of Defence headquarters, brought together top military commanders and intelligence officials to review the security situation and reassess strategies for combating insurgency.
Those in attendance included the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abass and representatives of the National Intelligence Agency.
The meeting was convened in response to recent attacks by suspected terrorists on military bases in the North-East, which reportedly led to the deaths of several soldiers, including at least three commanding officers of the rank of lieutenant-colonel in Borno State.
Security reports also indicated that scores of soldiers were killed in the attacks, while hundreds of civilians remain in captivity following abductions carried out by insurgents in affected communities.
Addressing the meeting, the minister stressed the need for a comprehensive review of ongoing operations and stronger strategies to curb the activities of terrorist groups across the region.
He acknowledged that Nigerian troops had recorded casualties in recent engagements but noted that the insurgents suffered heavier losses during confrontations with the military.
The emergency meeting follows the introduction of monthly operational briefings by the ministry, aimed at enhancing collaboration among security agencies in the fight against terrorism, insurgency and banditry across the country.
