By Editor
ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s war on terrorism is entering a decisive phase, with the military recording unparalleled successes against terrorist forces across the country. From the swamps of the South-South to the arid lands of the North-East, the Nigerian Armed Forces, under the command of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, have escalated their offensive operations, systematically eliminating high-profile terrorist leaders and dismantling entrenched networks that have plagued Nigeria for over a decade. This renewed military aggression is reshaping the nation’s counter-terrorism landscape and providing much-needed respite for terrorised communities.
The latest revelations from General Lagbaja underscore the strategic overhaul the military has undergone in recent months. In an interview published in The Explainer, a weekly publication of the National Orientation Agency, and as reported by PUNCH Online, Lagbaja highlighted the critical blows dealt to terrorist organisations, particularly in the North-East and North-West, where prominent militant leaders have been neutralised. This report aims to dissect these military achievements while critically evaluating the broader implications for Nigeria’s security architecture and long-term stability.
A Shift in Military Strategy: Targeting the Leadership
One of the most critical changes in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy is the military’s intensified focus on eliminating terrorist leadership. According to General Lagbaja, the key to degrading terrorist networks lies in targeting their command structures. By decapitating the leadership, the military aims to throw terrorist groups into disarray, rendering them ineffective in executing coordinated attacks. This approach is not without merit; history has shown that insurgent groups often crumble when their leaders are neutralised, and Nigeria’s recent successes appear to confirm this theory.
Among the most notable victories was the killing of Halilu Sububu, a notorious terrorist commander in the North-West who, for years, terrorised communities across Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger, and Kaduna States. Sububu’s reign of terror was marked by gruesome kidnappings, extortion, and mass killings, leaving an indelible scar on the region. His death in a military ambush near Mayanchi on September 12, 2024, represents a significant victory in the fight against terrorism. The operation, led by NAF Special Forces and supported by ground troops, was not only a tactical success but also a morale booster for security forces and citizens alike.
The elimination of Sububu and his 38 associates came with the recovery of an impressive arsenal of weapons, including rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes, machine guns, and thousands of rounds of ammunition. The sophisticated cache underscores the level of resources at the terrorists’ disposal, raising questions about the international networks that may be supplying these militant groups. The military’s ability to intercept such a large quantity of arms suggests that intelligence operations have significantly improved, though the enduring challenge of weapon smuggling continues to loom large.
North-East Operations: Crippling the Backbone of Boko Haram and ISWAP
In Nigeria’s North-East, the operational theatre for some of the country’s most brutal conflicts, the military has made considerable headway against the twin scourges of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Collaborating with the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Nigerian troops have executed a series of highly successful operations that have crippled the operational capacity of these terrorist groups. In August 2024 alone, over 1,166 terrorists were neutralised, according to MNJTF reports, with another 1,096 terrorists arrested. These statistics signal a significant weakening of insurgent forces in the region.
The MNJTF’s offensive against two Boko Haram and ISWAP logistics supply syndicates in August was another major success story. The syndicates were responsible for supplying illicit drugs, materials for uniforms, and flags to terrorist groups—a vital logistical lifeline for their operations. Disrupting this supply chain not only hampers the operational efficiency of the insurgents but also denies them access to essential resources for sustaining their propaganda and recruitment efforts.
What makes these operations particularly effective is the military’s adaptive strategy, utilising environmental conditions to its advantage. The Lake Chad region, for years a safe haven for terrorists, saw extensive flooding that forced militants to higher ground. This made them highly vulnerable to airstrikes, and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in collaboration with ground forces, capitalised on this opportunity to conduct air interdictions that devastated terrorist hideouts. This form of warfare, exploiting natural terrain to enhance tactical operations, reflects a growing sophistication in Nigeria’s military strategy.
Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information for NAF, explained that the flooding acted as a natural deterrent, herding terrorists into open areas where they could no longer hide. This advantage led to multiple successful airstrikes, resulting in the destruction of key terrorist positions. Such operations have contributed to a growing sense of vulnerability among the insurgents, many of whom have surrendered to the military en masse in recent months.
Terrorist Surrender and The Question of Reintegration
While the military’s offensive has delivered resounding blows to terrorist groups, the issue of surrendering insurgents poses a new set of challenges. Over 7,283 terrorists surrendered in August 2024, according to Defence Headquarters, with many of them expressing a willingness to reintegrate into civilian life. The sheer number of surrenders is a testament to the military’s growing dominance in the battlefield. However, this development has sparked contentious debates among Nigerian citizens, particularly regarding the reintegration of former terrorists into society.
The Nigerian government’s Deradicalization, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (DRR) programme, designed to assimilate former combatants, has come under intense scrutiny. Critics argue that the programme is ill-equipped to address the deep psychological trauma and ideological indoctrination that many of these former fighters carry. Moreover, communities that have borne the brunt of terrorist violence are understandably resistant to the idea of welcoming back individuals who, in many cases, were responsible for heinous atrocities.
Lt. General Lagbaja, while lauding the successes of the DRR program, emphasised that community support remains crucial to the reintegration process. Without the buy-in of local populations, reintegration efforts may falter, and former terrorists may return to their previous ways, further complicating the security situation. The military’s role in ensuring that surrendered terrorists are properly monitored and rehabilitated is therefore essential. Still, questions remain about whether the current structures are robust enough to handle the influx of surrendered militants and why they are not charged to Court for their heinous crimes.
South-South Operations: Striking at the Heart of Oil Theft and Sabotage
Beyond the battles against terrorists in the northern regions, the Nigerian military is also waging a critical war against oil thieves and saboteurs in the South-South. Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, reported that troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) South-South Operation Delta Safe recovered petroleum products worth over ₦5 billion from illegal operators. Additionally, over 339 illegal refining sites were dismantled, dealing a major blow to the lucrative criminal enterprise of oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The scale of illegal oil refining in the region has long posed a serious threat to Nigeria’s economic stability. The illegal siphoning of crude oil deprives the nation of much-needed revenue, further compounding the country’s fiscal challenges. Moreover, the environmental degradation caused by these operations has left vast tracts of the Niger Delta polluted, threatening the livelihoods of millions of people who rely on the region’s ecosystem for survival.
The military’s aggressive clampdown on these activities is a welcome development. However, just as with the battle against terrorism, the question of sustainability looms large. Oil theft in the Niger Delta is driven by deep-seated socio-economic issues, including unemployment, poverty, and political disenfranchisement. Simply dismantling illegal refineries may not be enough to address the root causes of the problem. The Nigerian government must complement military efforts with long-term socio-economic initiatives that provide alternative livelihoods for those involved in illegal activities.
The MNJTF and Regional Cooperation: Strengthening Nigeria’s Counter-Terrorism Capabilities
The role of regional cooperation in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts cannot be overstated. The MNJTF, comprising troops from Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, has been a critical force multiplier in the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP. This multinational force, headquartered in N’Djamena, Chad, has allowed Nigeria to extend its reach beyond its borders, disrupting terrorist networks that operate across the Lake Chad Basin.
In recent months, MNJTF operations have been particularly effective in cutting off the supply lines that sustain terrorist groups. As highlighted by Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, the Chief Military Information Officer at MNJTF, the force has intercepted syndicates that specialise in providing terrorist groups with critical supplies, including illicit drugs and materials for making uniforms and flags. These interdictions have choked off the logistical lifeblood of Boko Haram and ISWAP, limiting their ability to sustain prolonged campaigns.
However, regional cooperation comes with its own set of challenges. Relations between Nigeria and its neighbours have occasionally been strained by territorial disputes, border insecurity, and political tensions. Maintaining a cohesive and effective MNJTF requires constant diplomatic engagement and coordination among member states. Furthermore, the military capabilities of Nigeria’s neighbours vary significantly, meaning that Nigeria often shoulders a disproportionate share of the burden in joint operations.
Public Perception and the Politics of Counterterrorism
While the military has made significant gains, the broader public perception of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts remains mixed. On one hand, the successful neutralisation of high-profile terrorist leaders like Halilu Sububu has been met with widespread acclaim. On the other hand, the long-standing grievances over insecurity, especially in northern Nigeria, persist.
Politically, the Nigerian government’s handling of the war against terrorism is closely scrutinised by opposition parties and civil society organisations. Some have criticised the government for not doing enough to address the underlying socio-economic factors that fuel terrorism, such as poverty, illiteracy, and unemployment. Moreover, allegations of corruption within the military and government agencies tasked with overseeing counter-terrorism efforts have further complicated public perception.
In August 2024, opposition leader Abubakar Aliyu accused the government of diverting funds meant for military operations to private accounts, an accusation that sparked widespread outrage and calls for an independent investigation. While the Nigerian government has denied these claims, the scandal has nonetheless cast a shadow over the military’s recent successes. For many Nigerians, the war against terrorism is as much about restoring trust in the government as it is about defeating armed groups.
Conclusion: The Path Ahead
Nigeria’s fight against terrorism is far from over, but the recent successes of the military under the leadership of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja represent a turning point in the country’s long-standing struggle. The elimination of key terrorist leaders, the disruption of supply networks, and the growing number of terrorist surrenders signal that Nigeria is finally gaining the upper hand in the battle for national security. However, these military victories must be accompanied by long-term strategies to address the socio-economic and political drivers of conflict.
Moreover, the reintegration of former terrorists remains a contentious issue that will require careful management if Nigeria is to avoid the resurgence of insurgent activities. The government’s handling of this process, coupled with its ability to sustain regional cooperation, will ultimately determine the success or failure of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
As Nigeria enters this new phase of its war on terrorism, the eyes of the world will be watching closely. For the Nigerian people, weary of years of violence and insecurity, the hope is that this time, the victories on the battlefield will translate into lasting peace.
With reporting from Peter Jene (Senior National Correspondent) and Suleiman Adamu, Senior National Security/Defence Correspondent.
