Nigeria Rules Out Ceasefire With Boko Haram And Daesh As Military Operations Continue

Nigeria’s military has ruled out any ceasefire with Boko Haram and Daesh, saying it will continue operations against terrorist groups in the northeast. Military spokesperson Major General Samaila Uba said recent operations had led to the killing of terrorists, arrests and the rescue of hostages. He also disclosed that Nigeria is discussing security and diplomatic cooperation with neighbouring Sahel countries that withdrew from ECOWAS.

Nigeria's military has ruled out any ceasefire with Boko Haram and Daesh, saying security forces will continue military operations against terrorist groups operating in the country.
The announcement was made on Thursday during an intelligence briefing in Abuja, where military spokesperson Major General Samaila Uba said the armed forces were maintaining pressure on terrorist groups through ongoing operations.
Nigeria has been fighting Boko Haram and other armed groups in the northeast for nearly two decades. The prolonged conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths, widespread displacement and serious humanitarian challenges across parts of the region.
Uba said recent military operations had resulted in the killing of terrorists, the arrest of suspects and the rescue of hostages. He described these developments as evidence that the security forces were continuing to make progress against armed groups.

MILITARY REJECTS CEASEFIRE CLAIMS

Uba made it clear that the Nigerian military had no plan to suspend its operations against terrorist organisations.
"There is nothing like a ceasefire," he said, stressing that the military would continue its operations against armed groups.
The statement comes amid continuing military campaigns in northeastern Nigeria, where Boko Haram and factions associated with Daesh have carried out attacks against civilians and security forces over the years.
The groups have also been involved in kidnappings, attacks on communities and military positions, as well as other forms of violence.
By ruling out a ceasefire, the military is signalling that its current strategy remains focused on sustained security operations rather than negotiations that would temporarily halt military action.

RECENT OPERATIONS TARGET TERRORIST GROUPS

According to Uba, recent operations have produced several results, including the killing of suspected terrorists, arrests and the rescue of hostages.
The military considers the rescue of hostages particularly important because kidnapping has remained one of the major threats associated with armed groups operating in northeastern Nigeria.
Hostages are often held for extended periods in remote areas, making rescue operations difficult and dangerous for security personnel.
The military's reported successes are also intended to demonstrate that counterterrorism operations remain active despite the continued ability of armed groups to launch attacks.
Uba said the security forces were not relenting in their efforts to weaken terrorist networks and prevent them from expanding their activities.

BOKO HARAM CONFLICT HAS LASTED FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES

Nigeria's conflict with Boko Haram began in the northeastern part of the country nearly 20 years ago and has evolved significantly over time.
Boko Haram initially focused its activities mainly on northeastern Nigeria but later expanded its attacks to neighbouring countries around the Lake Chad Basin.
The group subsequently experienced internal divisions, leading to the emergence of different factions, including groups associated with the Islamic State, commonly referred to as Daesh.
These factions have continued to operate in parts of northeastern Nigeria and the wider Lake Chad region.
The prolonged conflict has affected communities across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, with civilians repeatedly exposed to attacks, displacement and disruptions to farming and other economic activities.

SECURITY FORCES CONTINUE REGIONAL COOPERATION

Nigeria's military operations are also taking place within a wider regional security environment.
Uba said Nigeria was holding discussions with neighbouring Sahel countries that have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States, known as ECOWAS.
The countries involved include Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, which left ECOWAS after disagreements with the regional bloc.
Nigeria's discussions with these countries are focused on security and diplomatic cooperation, according to the military spokesperson.
Regional cooperation is important because terrorist organisations do not operate strictly within national borders. Armed groups can move between countries, use remote border areas as operational zones and exploit gaps in coordination between security agencies.
Closer cooperation between neighbouring countries could therefore help with intelligence sharing, border security and efforts to disrupt militant networks.

THE CHALLENGE OF DEFEATING TERRORIST GROUPS

Although the military says its recent operations have produced gains, the continued presence of Boko Haram and Daesh-linked fighters shows that the security challenge has not been completely eliminated.
Counterterrorism operations in the northeast involve large and difficult areas, including forests and remote communities where armed groups can hide and move between locations.
The military must also balance security operations with the protection of civilians and the need to allow displaced communities to return safely to their homes.
For residents of affected areas, the ultimate measure of progress will be whether attacks decline, communities become safer and people can return to normal economic and social activities.

NIGERIA MAINTAINS PRESSURE ON ARMED GROUPS

The military's rejection of a ceasefire indicates that Nigeria intends to maintain its current campaign against Boko Haram and Daesh rather than pause operations.
The reported killing of terrorists, arrests and hostage rescues are being presented by the military as signs of continued progress.
At the same time, the government's engagement with neighbouring Sahel countries highlights the importance of regional cooperation in dealing with a security problem that extends beyond Nigeria's borders.
The coming months will show whether sustained military pressure, improved intelligence and greater regional cooperation can further weaken terrorist networks and improve security for communities across northeastern Nigeria.