BRIEF BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF DEFENCE MAJOR
GENERAL BASHIR SALIHI MAGASHI (RTD) DURING THE JOINT
WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON TACKLING INSECURITY IN
NIGERIA ON 5 SEPTEMBER 2022
PROTOCOL
1.
I am delighted to be part of this Joint World Press
Conference on Tackling Insecurity in Nigeria, which is facilitated
by the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture. I would
approach this brief with the assumption that, the Press gathered
here today have an understanding of the asymmetric nature of
the existential threats, which the Armed Forces of Nigeria is
combating, of course, with the Nigeria Police, and other security
agencies and stakeholders.
2.
We must reckon that, in an insurgency or asymmetric
operational environment such as counter-terrorism, counter-
insurgency, anti-kidnapping/anti-banditry the key terrain is not
any physical space but the loyalty and perception of the people
who inhabit that space. Also, note that counter-terrorism and
counter-insurgency is not a fair fight, as the terrorists have no
responsibility, unlike the Government and its institutions and as
such, are free to employ any tricks and tactics, no matter how
dastardly. So, each new asymmetric threat arises in its own
context to present fresh set of operational challenges.
Leveraging on the experiences and gains of our involvement in
counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations, especially
in the North East, the successes recorded across all the theatres
of operations in recent times have been noteworthy, of course, in
furtherance of our constitutional imperatives to entrone peace
and security all over the country.
- The Armed Forces of Nigeria is currently conducting several
operations all over the country as well as Peace Support
Operations in some countries with the recent being the Republic
of Guinea Bissau. This must not however, be misconstrued to
mean that, there are crises all over the country. The
contemporary threat environment is such that, a single terrorist
or band of terrorists, even though completely isolated in remote
rural places, can conduct a terrorist campaign. Terrorism by itself
has far less value than the publicity that it generates. It is on this
basis that this brief will cover ongoing military efforts across
the 6 geo-political zones of the country as well as Nigeria’s
participation in Peace Support Operation in Republic of Guinea
Bissau.
NORTH EAST ZONE
4.
The counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations
against Boko Haram and Islamic States West African Province
terrorists in the North Eastern part of the country, now known as
Operation HADIN KAl, has undergone series of reorganization,
restructuring and resourcing, to make it more potent. The strings
of operational successes recorded by the Armed Forces of
Nigeria in the North East have thus, continued from January
through August 2022. The exultation of the troops of Operation
HADIN KAI of recent, by well-meaning individuals as well as
reputable internal and international bodies, attest to the far-
reaching military achievements recorded in the North East.
- The critical military objective of total defeat of the terrorists
in the North East, is already being achieved. Synchronized
ground and air operations have continued to inflict huge casualty
on the terrorists and have been forcing many of them, including
commanders and amirs, to surrender in droves, with members of
their families. Whilst areas where terrorists hitherto had some
freedom of action are being cleared, socio-economic life is
gradually returning to most parts of the North East. Erstwhile
Internally Displaced Persons are now returning to their ancestral
homes to start life all over, in dignity, under safer and more
secure environment. Generally in the past 4 weeks, more
than 3,407 Boko Haram Terrorists including members of their
families have surrendered. Additionally, 66 terrorists were
neutralized including one of the key ISWAP Commanders, Alhaji
Modu Chaka Bem Bem and 20 of his fighters, while 55 were
arrested and 52 civilians were rescued. Also troops recovered
large quantities of ammunition and illicit drugs. The surrendered
and arrested terrorists have been subjected to profiling and the
relevant legal processes. - Let me use this opportunity to address the unfortunate
murder of Sheik Muhammed Goni Aisami involving 2 soldiers
of 241 Reece Battalion Nguru in Yobe State. The reprehensible
act is highly condemnable and negates the ethos of the entire
Armed Forces in all ramifications. Therefore, the Armed Forces
strongly disassociates itself from this dastardly act and extends
its sincere condolence to the family and good people of Yobe
State. Consequently, the 2 soldiers have been charged and
dismissed from the Nigerian Army and handed over to the Nigeria
Police for further investigation and prosecution. I therefore
reiterate the commitment of purging the Armed Forces of any
personnel of questionable character that would bring disrepute
to the country.
9.
Similarly, Operation WHIRL PUNCH covers Kaduna and Niger
States. The operation was recently re-organized to also cover the
critical Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, which had a defunct stand-alone
operation codenamed Operation THUNDER STRIKE. It is pertinent to
note that a huge volume of more than 30,000 vehicles ply the
expressway on weekdays and about 50,000 vehicles during
weekends, which highlights the socio-economic importance of the
road. Additionally, as part of Operation WHIRL PUNCH, a subsidiary
operation codenamed Operation FOREST SANITY has also been
launched to flush out the terrorists from the forests that straddle
Kaduna and Niger States. These efforts were geared towards
flushing out criminal elements from the Kaduna – Abuja Expressway
and it’s environs, and I am pleased to inform that the Abuja-Kaduna
Expressway has been secured through a combined effort of the
Armed Forces, the Police and other security agencies. In this
regards, ground operations supported by air assets have resulted in
several terrorists being neutralized including a notorious terrorist,
Alhaji Shanono with 20 of his gang members with weapons and
equipment destroyed while other suspected terrorists were arrested.
Additionally, large quantities of weapons, vehicles and equipment
were recovered while 53 kidnaped civilians were rescued.
NORTH CENTRAL ZONE
- The prevalent security threats in the North Central zone of
Nigeria are herders-farmers conflicts, wanton attacks/killing of
rural villagers, livestock rustling, kidnapping for ransom and
banditry, amongst others. There are therefore 2 military
operations being conducted in the North Central Zone to deal
with the security threats, codenamed Operation SAFE HAVEN
and Operation WHIRL STROKE. Due to a measure of security
threats around the satellite towns of the Federal Capital Territory,
there have also been military operations conducted periodically
to clear terrorists/criminals from the environs. - Operation SAFE HAVEN covers Plateau State as well as
parts of Kaduna and Bauchi States bordering Plateau State. The
nature of the security threats in the operational area dictates the
employment of both kinetic and non-kinetic means by Operation
SAFE HAVEN to deal with the different security issues. Whilst
kinetic military operations are deployed to defeat violent and
criminal security threats, community engagements and town-hall
meetings are employed to de-conflict hostile relationships
between mostly herder/farmer communities. These 2-pronged
approach, with constant watch over the environment, have
helped to make the operational area safer for socio-economic
activities to thrive. During the period under review, several
kidnappers hideout were raided in Kaduna and Plateau States
and 4 notorious kidnappers were arrested with assorted
weapons. More so, 8 suspected terrorists were arrested in
Gwagwalada Area Council of Abuja as well as weapons and large
quantities of items suspected to be cannabis sativa were also
recovered. - Operation WHIRL STROKE covers Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba
States. The operation was launched to address security challenges
arising from herders/farmers conflict which soon assumed other
violent and criminal enterprises like kidnaping for ransom, wanton
attacks on villages and livestock rustling, amongst others. Again,
the activities of Operation WHIRL STROKE have continued to make
the environment safer for the citizens to pursue their dreams.
SOUTH-SOUTH ZONE - Crude oil theft, illegal refining of petroleum products, vandalism
of oil pipelines, sea piracy/robbery, kidnapping for ransom, militancy
and environmental degradation are amongst the potent threats in the
South South zone of Nigeria. Accordingly, Operation DELTA SAFE is
being conducted in the South South and parts of the South East geo-
political zones to protect the nation’s oil and gas industry, which is
the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy. Apart from Operation DELTA
SAFE, the Nigerian Navy also conducts operations as part of its
mandate to guarantee the security and integrity of Nigeria’s maritime
environment from violation or any criminal enterprise. The combined
efforts of Operation DELTA SAFE and the Nigerian Navy have thus,
continued to make the country to be more prosperous whilst also
agilitating a safer, healthier environment in the South South Zone. - By far, the most notable operational achievement in the
South South zone during the period under review was the
prevention of crude oil theft worth more than $500 million, over
the past few months. The encounter of Motor Tanker HEROIC
DUN with Nigerian Navy Ship GONGOLA in Akpo Oil Field, Deep
Offshore Bonny waters, is well known to you, because a Press
Conference was held in this regards. Another operational
milestone achievement is that, for the first time, no single
incidence of piracy was recorded in our waters in one full year.
Notwithstanding in the past 4 weeks, several illegal refinery sites,
which consist of 493 dugout pits, 512 storage tanks, 413 cooking
ovens and 59 wooden boats were destroyed. Additionally, several
weapons, vehicles, vessels and equipment were recovered.
Additionally about 25,800 barrels of crude oil, 3,200 lites of
Premium Motor Spirit and 2,000 lites of Dual Purpose Kerosene
were recovered during various operations while 21 pipeline
vandals were arrested.
SOUTH EAST ZONE
- The secessionist, violent and criminal activities of the
Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern
Security Network, presents the greatest threat in the South East
zone. However, kidnapping for ransom, armed banditry,
communal clashes have been some of the security threats that
had bedeviled the region. Accordingly, joint military operations
are being conducted in the South East to overcome the
existential threats and to entrench peace and security. The
military efforts, in collaboration with other security agencies, are
achieving set objectives, which are the defeat of the threats and
restoration of peace and security. The recent notable operational
achievement in the South East zone was the arrest of one
member of the IPOB/ESN in Eboni State and recovery of
dangerous munitions and equipment as well as motorcycles and
ballistics materials.
SOUTH WEST ZONE
- The South West zone is the most peaceful part of the country
although, recent terrorist activities have tended to redefine the situation
in the region. However, cases of kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery,
pipeline vandalism and petroleum products theft, cultism and smuggling
have occasionally constituted security threats in the zone. Accordingly,
Operation AWATSE is being conducted mostly in Lagos and Ogun
States to deal with the menace of pipeline vandalism and petroleum
products theft as well as sea robbery. It is to be noted that, military
formations are located all over the South West, just like in other zones.
Hence, whilst not being part of Operation AWATSE, these formations
also collaborate with other security agencies to maintain security within
their respective environments. Such collaboration finds expression in
the recent arrest of one Kuje Custodian Centre escapee and other
terrorists in Ondo State by military personnel and the Department of
State Service. Also significant during the period under review was the
arrest of 6 suspected gunmen including the mastermind responsible for
the unfortunate Owo church massacre which occurred on 5 June 2022.
The suspects include Iris Abdulmalik-Omeiza Idris, Momoh Otohu-
Abubakar, Aliyu Yusuf-Itopa and Auwal Ishaq-Onimisi. The suspect shall
be paraded in due course to the general public on completion of the
ongoing investigation. Other operational achievements in the South
West Zone in the period under review include the recovery of 1,542
jerricans filled with Premium Motor Spirit, 311 bags of 50kg foreign rice
ad a truck loaded with substances suspected to be cannabis sativa
NIGERIA’S PARTICIPATION IN PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS IN
REPUBLIC OF GUINEA BISSAU
- Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the history of peacekeeping in
Africa cannot be written without the commitment and sacrifices of
Nigeria. The first contingent of Nigerian peacekeepers was deployed
in 1960 shortly after our independence. Since then, Nigeria has
contributed over 100,000 peacekeepers in over 40 peacekeeping
missions in Africa and across the globe. I must say with pride that our
peacekeepers have had to restore peace in many conflict areas around
the globe which has earned Nigeria many national and individual
commendations from several nations. It is for this reason Nigeria was
called upon as part of ECOWAS contingent deployed to Guinea Bissau
under the auspices of the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Force after the
coup attempt in February 2022. The contingents comprised of troops
from Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana and Ivory Coast and were given a one-year
renewable mandate to stabilize the country. Accordingly, Nigeria has
currently deployed 173 officers and soldiers as well as NNS KADA and
her crew members for the mission in Guinea Bissau. Therefore, Federal
Government of Nigeria has remained committed to the Peace Support
Operation to maintain peace in the Republic of Guinea Bissau and would
continue to remain the beacon of peace and stability of the ECOWAS
sub-region. - In conclusion, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, as we
continue to gain experiences in an asymmetric operational
environment, we would continue to review our processes based on
the components of fighting power, which are conceptual, physical
and morale. Doctrines are being formulated as tactics, techniques
and procedures are constantly reviewed to meet up and overcome
evolving asymmetric threats. With the utmost support of the
President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,
President Muhammad Buhari, modern platforms and equipment are
being procured for the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy and the
Nigerian Air Force whilst recruitment and quality training and re-
training is being carried out. With respect to the morale component,
the welfare of the fighting troops is being enhanced across the
Services whilst ensuring that enthusiastic commanders with
requisite experiences are given responsibility to command. We
would continue to ensure efficient integration of the
3
interdependent components for best operational outcomes leading
to the restoration of peace and security all over the country. - Let me at this juncture reassure this esteemed gathering and
indeed Nigerians that the Ministry of Defence and the Armed
Forces in conjunction with other security agencies remain
committed and resolute in our collective efforts to facilitate the
Federal Government’s drive of guaranteeing the safety of lives
and properties across the country. In addition, this present
Administration is doing everything possible to ensure the safety
and security of all citizens. I therefore urge all Nigerians to
support the Armed Forces of Nigeria in its effort towards
ensuring peace and security to the nation. The Ministry of
Defence is fully on top of the situation and all hands are on deck
to ensure these threats are curtailed. Thank you all for your
attention.
