Nigeria's Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd), yesterday identified terrorism as a major threat to the nation’s security.

He urged stronger national and institutional collaboration to sustain the fight against insurgency and terrorism.

Speaking in Abuja during the unveiling of a two-volume publication titled: “Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency Operations in Northeast Nigeria,” the minister stressed that defeating terrorism requires the collective commitment of the Armed Forces, government institutions and citizens.

He noted that the military alone cannot overcome security challenges.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who was represented at the event, urged troops to sustain the heat on terrorists in the Northeast and strengthen joint operations.

According to Gen. Musa, the fight against terrorism remains one of the most complex security threats in Nigeria’s history, demanding sustained cooperation among the military, civil authorities, and local communities.

He explained that insurgents often operate within civilian populations, making public vigilance, intelligence sharing, and community support critical to operational success.

“The Armed Forces cannot win this fight alone. Every member of the Armed Forces and indeed the entire society must contribute to the fight against terrorism,” he said.

The minister described the author as a respected senior colleague and mentor whose career reflected discipline, professionalism, and dedication to service, adding that such qualities had strengthened leadership within the Armed Forces.

He also commended the Nigerian Defence Academy for producing generations of officers grounded in patriotism, professionalism, and national service.

According to him, the publication would enrich national security discourse by documenting operational experiences and providing practical lessons for military professionals, researchers and policymakers.

He urged serving officers to study the work carefully, describing it as a valuable operational reference drawn from real battlefield experience.

Musa further appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support to the Armed Forces and other security agencies in addressing evolving security threats nationwide.

He paid tribute to fallen military personnel and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting members of their families.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, described the publication as a “significant intellectual contribution to military scholarship and operational learning.”

Gen. Oluyede said the author, who previously served as Commander of 21 Brigade, General Officer Commanding 7 Division, and Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force, brought extensive operational experience into the two volumes.

Book author Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Yusuf said writing the publication proved more challenging than commanding troops on the battlefield.

“I must confess that writing a book is far more demanding than leading men into battle. It is easier to command troops than to document experiences in a scholarly manner,” he said.

Yusuf expressed appreciation to stakeholders who supported the project, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Minister of Defence; the Chief of Defence Staff; service chiefs; former service chiefs; heads of security agencies; academics; and members of his family.

Reviewing the book, Prof Eghosa Osaghae described the work as a landmark contribution to military scholarship and a practical guide for counterterrorism operations in Nigeria.

Osaghae noted that the nearly 900-page publication provides a comprehensive analysis of counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations by combining theoretical perspectives with practical command experience.

He said the book situates Nigeria’s security experience within the broader context of global “new war” dynamics, while highlighting the evolution of military responses through theatre commands, joint task forces, intelligence-driven operations, and civil-military cooperation.

According to him, intelligence remains the “currency” of counterinsurgency operations, making reliable, validated, and human-centred intelligence crucial in asymmetric warfare.

Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), said the publication clearly captures both the achievements and challenges of counterinsurgency operations, but stressed that the defining factor in the conflict remained leadership in the field.

Gen. Buratai noted that operational success depended largely on competent commanders who understood their responsibilities and were willing to lead from the front.

He added that complex military operations succeed not merely through directives, but through the ability of field commanders to translate strategic objectives into decisive operational action.

Success in such complex operations is not achieved by directives alone, but by ensuring that capable hands are available to translate strategic intent into operational action on the ground,” the one-time COAS said.

Shettima to troops: sustain pressure on terrorists

Shettima urged military commanders to sustain coordinated pressure on terrorist groups and strengthen intelligence, technology, and civil-military cooperation to consolidate security gains in the Northeast.

Shettima, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the President on General Duties, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, urged military commanders to remain vigilant and adaptive despite recent successes against insurgents.

Acknowledging significant progress in degrading terrorist capabilities, Shettima cautioned against complacency, stressing that “progress must not be mistaken for final victory.”

He said Nigeria’s security challenges require a comprehensive whole-of-society approach involving the military, intelligence agencies, policymakers, and civilians.

According to him, the Nigerian Armed Forces have continued to demonstrate resilience and professionalism in confronting complex asymmetric threats.

“What Nigeria has endured in recent years is not evidence of a nation overwhelmed by danger, but a reflection of the resilience and courage of Nigerians who continue to stand firm in defence of a shared destiny,” he said.

He described the Northeast crisis as both a security challenge and a humanitarian tragedy, noting that it underscored the need for sustained vigilance against violent extremism.

The vice president emphasised that counterterrorism operations must also be understood through the experiences of frontline personnel, whose testimonies, he said, provide critical lessons for future policy formulation and military strategy.

He commended the writer for documenting operational realities and strategic insights from the theatre of operations, describing the publication as “timely and important” to national security discourse.

Army boosts surveillance, precision strikes with more drones

COAS Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu said the Nigerian Army has acquired additional drones and other force multipliers to enhance surveillance, target acquisition, precision strikes, and casualty evacuation operations.

Speaking at the close of the three-day First Bi-Annual Chief of Army Staff Conference 2026 in Abuja, the COAS said the evolving nature of contemporary security threats demands that the Nigerian Army remains proactive, adaptive, and innovative in its operational approach.

The Army chief recalled that during the opening of the conference, he had noted that the newly acquired platforms had contributed significantly to recent operational successes in the North-East.

He directed commanders at all levels to translate the resolutions and lessons from the conference into measurable actions within their respective formations. (The Nation)

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