The Nigerian Army says the security situation in the North-East has improved significantly, following sustained counterterrorism operations and stronger synergy among security agencies.
The Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force, North-East Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, stated this in an interview with journalists on Saturday in Maiduguri.
Abubakar said the Armed Forces of Nigeria had maintained operational momentum across the theatre, denying terrorists the freedom of movement and access to logistics that once fueled their campaign of terror.
He linked the lingering security challenges in the region to broader global instability, including the crisis in the Sahel, the Middle East, and the Russia–Ukraine war.
“Since November last year, we have observed an increase in the use of armed drones and radio-controlled improvised explosive devices by terrorists — a fallout of global technological proliferation.
“However, our forces continue to retain the initiative. Our goal remains to flush out terrorists from their remaining enclaves in Sambisa Forest, the Mandara Mountains, the Tumbuns, and the Lake Chad Islands,” he said.
The commander revealed that coordinated ground and air operations had led to the elimination of 26 key terrorist commanders in the last two months, alongside major recoveries of weapons, ammunition, and vehicles.
He said many insurgent camps had been destroyed, forcing remnants of the groups into isolated pockets while economic and social activities resumed in liberated areas.
“Markets have reopened, schools are functioning, and roads that were once unsafe now experience daily movement of goods and people. That is a major milestone for us as a nation,” he added.
Abubakar said sustained military pressure had boosted public confidence, resulting in increased voluntary returns under the Borno State Government’s resettlement programme.
He described the disruption of terrorist logistics networks as a turning point in the campaign against Boko Haram and ISWAP.
“By cutting off their supply chains, we have effectively crippled their capacity to sustain prolonged engagements.
Several IED-making factories have been destroyed, and we have intercepted many of their logistics convoys,” he said.
He cited the July 2025 operation in Dikwa, where troops recovered over 50 lethal IEDs, as an example of successful intelligence-led missions.
According to him, more than 257 terrorists were neutralised between July and September, while many others surrendered with their families.
He said the use of drones by terrorists had been curtailed through anti-drone technology, while improved air dominance was being maintained through support from the Military High Command.
On reports of renewed attacks in border communities around Kirawa, Abubakar dismissed them as “desperate attempts by terrorists to create fear.”
“Most of these attacks are confined to remote border settlements, reflecting desperation rather than strength,” he said, adding that more troops, armoured vehicles, and surveillance units had been deployed to the area.
He assured that Kirawa and other border communities were now “fully secured with boots on the ground.”
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Community leaders in Gwoza and Kirawa praised the army’s improved deployment and swift response.
Alhaji Bukar Modu, a community elder in Gwoza, said:
“Before now, we used to hear gunshots almost every week. But since the troops came in numbers, the situation changed. We now sleep peacefully and even attend markets in Pulka and Gwoza without fear.”
Similarly, Mrs Falmata Bakura, who recently returned from an IDP camp, commended the professionalism of the troops.
“Their presence alone gives us hope. Our children have resumed school, and we now farm without fear,” she said.
Abubakar urged residents to continue cooperating with the military by providing credible intelligence and denying logistics support to terrorists.
“Citizens must collaborate with the military in fishing out bad elements. This is a whole-of-society approach to asymmetric warfare,” he said.