The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, has raised concerns that the involvement and support of local residents in terrorist activities across Borno and Yobe states are contributing to the persistence of violence in the region.
Speaking in Maiduguri during a media interaction, Oluyede made the remarks while visiting the state alongside the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, to evaluate the current security situation in the North-East.
He called on residents of the affected states to play a more active role in addressing insecurity, stressing that lasting peace would require collective responsibility from the communities most impacted by the crisis.
“For us to end these acts of terrorism, the people of Borno and Yobe must take ownership of the problem. This is because the bulk of those perpetrating these heinous crimes are from the states; they are our neighbours, cousins, and sisters, and we know them,” he declared.
Highlighting a recent incident, the defence chief referenced an attack on a military base in Kukawa, located in northern Borno, noting that some of the assailants had local ties. According to him, two injured suspects apprehended during follow-up operations were identified as members of the community.
“When Kukawa was attacked, and we were consulting cordon and search, two of the wounded terrorists that attached the place are from the community,” he disclosed.
Oluyede acknowledged a recent increase in attacks across the North-East, adding that the military is reviewing strategies to curb the insurgency, which has lasted for over 16 years.
He further revealed that security forces are examining the growing use of technology by insurgents, particularly drones, noting that ongoing research efforts are aimed at strengthening the military’s response and countering emerging tactics.
Earlier in the day, both service chiefs arrived in Maiduguri at about 10:40 a.m. and proceeded to a closed-door operational review meeting. The session included the theatre commander of Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, sector and operational commanders, as well as other senior military officers.
