President Bola Tinubu has approved the procurement of new equipment for the armed forces and other security agencies to enhance the fight against terrorism and banditry across the country, the Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd.), has disclosed.
Musa, who briefed State House correspondents after a nearly two-hour security meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday, said the President remained committed to supporting security agencies in their operations against insurgents.
“The President has promised more equipment for us to be able to protect the nation, and we assure victory,” Musa stated.
However, he did not specify the type or quantity of equipment approved by the President.
Rather, he explained that the meeting, which was the first attended by the new Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, since his appointment, was convened to brief the President on the current security situation following recent attacks on military formations.
“The mission of the meeting actually is just for us to review events. We came in here for the services to brief Mr President on the current situation on the ground.
“You know that there have been a series of attacks, and the security forces have actually risen to the occasion,” he said.
He disclosed that the briefing was necessary to ensure the President had accurate information about ongoing operations, noting that media interpretations sometimes did not reflect the full picture.
“We know sometimes interpretation, especially through the media, has not been too direct.
“We felt we should put this record straight, which we have done, and we are glad that Mr President has continued to support the armed forces and other security agencies in the fight against insurgency,” Musa stated.
The Defence Minister appealed to Nigerians not to be discouraged by reports of attacks, assuring that terrorists and bandits were suffering more casualties than security forces.
“Our appeal to Nigerians is not to get tired, not to be discouraged, because sometimes when you hear the news, you think it is just what is happening, but it is not. It’s far from that.
“The terrorists, the bandits, are taking more casualties. Their commanders are being killed,” he said.
Musa acknowledged that Nigeria had lost courageous officers and men in recent operations, describing the casualties as “highly regrettable.”
The former Chief of Defence Staff said, “We have lost a number of very, very courageous officers and men. Highly regrettable, but we want to assure Nigerians of the commitment we are putting on the ground to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure.”
In recent weeks, insurgents have intensified attacks on military positions in Borno State, including assaults on Ngoshe, Konduga, Marte, Jakana, and Mainok, resulting in casualties among security personnel and civilians.
In the past week alone, the military lost at least three commanding officers in charge of forward operations bases following a surge in attacks on security formations and personnel.
The attacks prompted strong responses from both President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, who vowed to deploy overwhelming force to end the insurgency.
Musa attributed the recent spike in terrorist activities to the Ramadan period, explaining that insurgents believed dying during the holy month would guarantee them paradise.
“It is normal with terrorists during the Ramadan period. For them, they feel when they die, they are going to heaven, so they are ready to commit any offence or to get killed, because they feel they have a reward to do,” the defence minister explained.
He assured Nigerians that the military had adjusted its strategies and was recording successes against the terrorists.
“As I said, we have adjusted our strategies. You can see in the past few days, we’ve taken over those locations. We’ve killed their commanders, we’ve taken over their assets. We’ll continue to do more,” Musa stated.
When asked about the persistent insecurity despite military efforts, the minister said war naturally involves fluctuations but assured that the tide was turning in favour of security forces.
“As I said, it is war. And you know, war comes in and out. But Mr President has approved so many things that are coming on our line, and we’re working together as a team.
“You can see all members of the security forces are here to assure Nigerians and to assure Mr President that we’re on track and will succeed,” he said.
The Thursday meeting, which lasted nearly two hours and ended at approximately 5:10 pm, was attended by all service chiefs and heads of security agencies, marking the first such gathering since Disu assumed office as IGP on February 28, 2026.
Our correspondent observed that the security chiefs arrived at the Villa without their usual official vehicles, making identification difficult, but they were spotted as they departed the forecourt after the meeting.
In attendance were the Directors-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed; Department of State Services, Mr Adeola Ajayi; Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Olufemi Oluyede; Minister of Defence Gen Musa (retd.); National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt Gen Emmanuel Undiandeye.
The meeting comes amid heightened security concerns across the country, particularly in the Northeast, where Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgents have maintained pressure on military positions.
During an Iftar dinner with service chiefs on March 6, President Tinubu had assured the military of his administration’s commitment to defeating terrorism despite the Borno attacks.
Vice President Shettima, in a statement by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, also declared that the administration would end the insurgency with overwhelming force.
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