The Defence Headquarters has categorically declared that no ceasefire agreement exists with Boko Haram, ISWAP, or any terrorist syndicate.
It said that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain on full offensive until all armed non-state actors taking up arms against citizens are eliminated or brought to justice.
The Director Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, issued the authoritative statement during the Joint Security Press Briefing hosted at the Office of the National Security Adviser on Thursday, 05 November 2026, in Abuja, delivering an exhaustive breakdown of national security operations covering September and October 2026.
Addressing questions regarding the downward migration of insurgents into previously inactive zones, Major General Uba stated that the observed dispersion of terrorist elements into areas such as the Owo Forest is direct proof that sustained military pressure has rendered their traditional strongholds untenable, driving them to desperate, futile searches for non-existent safe havens.
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Major General Uba confirmed that military intelligence is actively mapping all migration corridors to prevent hostile elements from establishing a permanent foothold anywhere within the federation, supported by strategic realignments to the military Order of Battle that have established new combat formations, specialized battalions, and forward tactical units across vulnerable sectors nationwide.
Turning to regional defense architecture, Major General Uba disclosed that the Defence Headquarters convened a high-level strategic forum to reposition the Multinational Joint Task Force and evaluate robust diplomatic alternatives following the withdrawal of neighboring countries from the Economic Community of West African States.
The strategic forum brought together former and serving force commanders, military strategists, security experts, and academicians to conduct an exhaustive review of operational experiences, identify critical intelligence gaps, and project future regional security requirements across the Lake Chad Basin, with all developed security frameworks currently being implemented to ensure seamless regional border containment.
Responding to inquiries regarding Nigerian Air Force operations, Major General Uba assured that high-level internal investigations remain active, with periodic updates being compiled to implement comprehensive institutional measures that prevent operational recurrences and maintain absolute professional accountability.
Transitioning to the comprehensive operational scorecard executed under the strategic directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede, Major General Uba reported that frontline forces executed 588 distinct kinetic security operations across all geopolitical zones over the past two months.
These aggressive multi-domain campaigns resulted in the neutralization of 435 terrorists, the arrest of 809 criminal suspects, the voluntary surrender of 198 insurgents, and the successful rescue of 717 kidnapped victims, including 20 prospective NYSC members in Owerri, Imo State, and 11 individuals in Danko-Wasagu, Kebbi State.
Major General Uba noted that major tactical breakthroughs in Buni Yadi, Baga, Kukawa, Bittai, and the Owo Forest severely fractured enemy command structures, accounting for the elimination of high-profile terrorist leaders such as Ali Mandara, Abba Gajiri, Habu Ikkima, Nakif Yana Faruk, Commander Gogore, and Abdussamad Ohida.
To systematically dismantle insurgent war-making capacity, troops recovered 5,666 arms, ammunitions, explosives, and improvised explosive devices, alongside vital logistical assets across diverse operational theatres.
In the Niger Delta, economic protection operations dealt a decisive blow to oil theft by destroying 57 illegal refining sites and recovering over 1,061,000 liters of stolen petroleum products, directly safeguarding critical national energy infrastructure and boosting daily crude production.
Major General Uba concluded by highlighting that the Defence Headquarters continues to advance national defense interests by championing indigenous manufacturing and technology transfer through the Africa International Defence Exhibition 2026, prioritizing troop welfare via nationwide veteran engagement tours, and launching the innovative Defence Discount Shop in partnership with Konga and Zinox.
