The Defence Headquarters has dismissed reports of a possible Boko Haram ceasefire agreement, insisting that the Nigerian military has not entered into any arrangement with insurgents or other armed groups to suspend hostilities. The military maintained that its operations against terrorism, kidnapping and other security threats would continue despite growing reports of possible secret negotiations involving an insurgent faction.
Director of Defence Information, Major-General Samaila Uba, announced the military’s position on Thursday, November 5, during a joint security briefing organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser in Abuja.
Uba clarified that the military had not reached a ceasefire agreement with Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) or any other armed organisation operating in the country. His statement comes amid public discussions about a possible agreement with an insurgent faction, raising questions about the government’s approach to ending years of insecurity in parts of Nigeria.
However, the Defence Headquarters maintained that military operations remain active and that troops will continue efforts to weaken armed groups across the country.
Military Reports 588 Operations and 435 Terrorists Neutralised
Beyond addressing the reports of a possible Boko Haram ceasefire, the Defence Headquarters presented its operational figures for September and October, highlighting the activities of troops across different security theatres.
According to the military, personnel conducted 588 operations during the two-month period, targeting terrorists, armed criminals, kidnappers and individuals involved in other security-related offences.
The Defence Headquarters reported that troops neutralised 435 terrorists and armed criminals during the operations. It also disclosed that security personnel arrested 809 suspects, while 198 insurgents voluntarily surrendered to the authorities.
In addition, the military reported rescuing 717 kidnapped victims within the same period. The rescue figures form part of its account of efforts to protect civilians and respond to kidnapping incidents across the country.
Troops also recovered 5,666 items, including weapons, ammunition, explosives and improvised explosive devices. These recoveries, according to the military, contributed to efforts to disrupt the activities of armed groups and reduce their access to weapons.
The operations also extended to the fight against illegal petroleum activities. The Defence Headquarters said troops destroyed 57 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 1.061 million litres of stolen petroleum products.
These figures provide an overview of the military’s reported activities during September and October. However, the statistics represent figures released by the Defence Headquarters and have not been independently audited.
Defence Headquarters Maintains Position on Boko Haram Ceasefire
The military’s rejection of a Boko Haram ceasefire arrangement comes at a time when insecurity remains a major concern, particularly in Nigeria’s North-East, where Boko Haram and ISWAP have sustained their activities despite years of military operations.
The possibility of secret negotiations with insurgents has also attracted attention because of the difficult balance between military action, intelligence gathering and efforts to secure the release of kidnapped victims.
While negotiations with armed groups sometimes feature in broader efforts to resolve security crises, the Defence Headquarters has made it clear that it has not agreed to suspend its operations against the groups.
The clarification also seeks to address uncertainty surrounding the military’s position and reassure the public that security operations remain part of the government’s response to insurgency.
Nevertheless, the reported operational figures will likely attract further attention as Nigerians continue to assess the impact of military campaigns on insecurity, particularly in communities affected by terrorism and kidnapping.
The Defence Headquarters has maintained that its personnel will continue to pursue armed groups, rescue abducted civilians and recover weapons used in criminal activities.
Although the latest figures indicate considerable military activity over the two-month period, the effectiveness of these operations will also depend on sustained improvements in security and the ability of authorities to prevent further attacks.
For now, the military’s position remains clear: it has denied entering into a Boko Haram ceasefire agreement and insists that operations against insurgents and other armed groups will continue.
