Foreign Fighters Driving Terrorist Resurgence in Northeast Nigeria — Defence Headquarters
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has attributed the recent escalation of terrorist activities in Nigeria’s North East and North West regions to the influx of foreign fighters bolstering local terror groups.
Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed this during a briefing in Abuja, highlighting the role of foreign fighters from the Sahelian Region and local collaborators in sustaining insurgent operations.
Buba explained that these foreign fighters serve as reinforcements for terrorist groups, while local accomplices act as informants, providing critical intelligence on troop movements. Despite these challenges, he emphasized that Nigerian troops remain resolute in their mission to eradicate terrorism and insurgency in the country.
“The resurgence in terror attacks is directly linked to the influx of foreign fighters who reinforce these terrorist groups. In addition, local collaborators form a support network, acting as informants and reporting troop movements. Nevertheless, our troops are fully committed to their duty of ending insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria,” Buba stated.
He acknowledged that the military might face occasional tactical setbacks but assured that their overarching strategy to dismantle the terrorists’ will to fight remains on course.
Buba emphasized that defeating an enemy requires breaking their will to fight, a goal the Nigerian military is steadily achieving by eliminating key operatives, commanders, and senior leadership within terrorist ranks. He noted that troops continue to target and degrade the terrorists’ vital assets, including their logistical, administrative, and combat capabilities.
He further explained, “Wars are won by systematically destroying the enemy’s will to fight, and we are determined to achieve that. We are leveraging regional and international partnerships, engaging the media, and neutralizing their assets to ensure the collapse of their operations.”
While acknowledging that the counterterrorism effort is a long and complex process, Buba expressed confidence in the eventual eradication of terrorism in Nigeria.
“This is not a quick fix but a sustained and enduring military operation. Our ultimate goal is to completely destroy these terrorist groups and create a secure and peaceful environment for all. We understand the collective desire for an end to insecurity, and we remain unwavering in our commitment to achieving that,” he concluded.
