The leadership of the Nigerian Armed Forces has met to review its operational strategies following recent setbacks in various theatres of operation across the country.
Also, the Senate has called on the Armed Forces to intensify ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-East by strengthening intelligence gathering, surveillance and operational capabilities to end insecurity in the region and across the country.
The resolution followed a motion raised by Senator Tahir Monguno (representing Borno North) over the recent deadly attack on a military formation in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State that resulted in the death of three soldiers within three days.
According to the Sen. Monguno, suspected insurgents launched a coordinated assault on an Army base in Kukawa Local Government Area in the early hours of March 9, 2026. The attackers reportedly approached the military formation from multiple directions and engaged troops in a fierce gun battle that lasted several hours.
Lawmakers expressed concern that the attack resulted in the death of Lieutenant Colonel Umar Faroug, described as a key officer who played a major role in facilitating the return of displaced residents to Kukawa town after it was previously overrun by insurgents. Several other soldiers were also reportedly killed during the encounter.
In his motion, Sen. Munguno also noted that military vehicles were set ablaze and weapons looted during the attack, which they said forms part of a renewed wave of assaults on military positions in the North-East despite ongoing counter-insurgency operations under Operation HADIN KAI.
The Senate while commending officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their bravery, underscored the strategic importance of sustained military operations, improved intelligence gathering and enhanced logistical support in consolidating gains already made in the fight against insurgency.
Howevwr, the high-level meeting was convened by the Minister of Defence and attended by all Service Chiefs and the Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Speaking after the meeting, Christopher Musa confirmed that recent attacks had been carried out against military installations but stressed that insurgents suffered heavier casualties.
Gen. Musa said, “We acknowledge the recent attacks on some of our military installations, but casualties have been higher on the side of the terrorists.”
He urged Nigerians to remain confident in the capabilities of the military to restore security across affected regions.
“We want Nigerians to remain confident in the abilities of the Armed Forces. Our troops are committed to defeating all threats to national security,” he said.
The defence chief also issued a strong warning to individuals suspected of aiding insurgent groups.
“Those collaborating with terrorists or supplying them with logistics should desist immediately. They will be apprehended soonest,” Musa warned.
According to military authorities, operations have been intensified in several high-risk areas including the Sambisa Forest, the Timbuktu Triangle, the Mandara Mountains, and the Lake Chad Basin.
The strategy review follows a series of deadly insurgent attacks in Borno State, where the military lost at least three commanding officers leading forward operating bases within a seven-day period.
The attacks were reportedly carried out by fighters linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, two extremist groups that have carried out a prolonged insurgency in northeastern Nigeria
