The commander leading the fight against insurgency in the North East region says foreign mercenaries are now playing a dangerous role in strengthening Boko Haram and ISWAP.
Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, who oversees Operation Hadin Kai, dropped the bombshell during an interaction with defence correspondents on a media tour in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
He revealed that four Pakistani nationals have been arrested for allegedly running arms for the terrorists, describing the arrest as “instructive”.
“The recent arrest of four Pakistani nationals, who initial investigations suggest deal in arms running with terrorists, is instructive,” he said.
According to him, these foreign fighters are not just providing weapons, they are also offering tactical and strategic military training to the terrorists. This, he said, explains why drones and advanced explosive devices are now turning up more frequently on the battlefield.
“It suffices to mention that the foreign mercenaries facilitate tactical and strategic training for these terrorists,” he added.
The theatre commander painted a worrying picture of how the insurgents are becoming more coordinated and deadly, with higher casualties among troops and increasing damage to military equipment. He linked this escalation to the involvement of the foreign operatives.
“This alarming trend calls for an immediate coordinated response, including intensified intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations, as well as strong collaboration between Nigeria and neighbouring nations to disrupt cross-border support networks,” he said.
General Abubakar stressed that what Nigeria is facing is not just a battle against the military but an all-out war against the nation itself.
According to him, “The Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists are not waging war against the armed forces but against Nigeria.”
He urged the media to shift the narrative and frame terrorism as a national emergency, not just a regional issue. Despite the challenges, he assured that troops remain committed to restoring peace and stability to affected communities.
Brigadier General Mohammed Abu-Mawashi, who led the media team, said the tour was initiated by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, to give journalists a clearer picture of the military’s efforts and sacrifices.
He said it was also meant to deepen understanding and empathy for those on the frontlines.
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