In a decisive show of unity and action, Nigeria’s top military leaders convened in Abuja on November 10, 2025, signaling a renewed commitment to tackling the country’s complex security challenges. The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, joined the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and other service chiefs for a high-level meeting with the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. According to a statement released on the Nigerian Army’s official X handle, this gathering underscored both the cohesion among the Armed Forces’ leadership and their shared resolve to strengthen national security at a time when the stakes have rarely felt higher.
The meeting, which took place in the heart of Nigeria’s capital, was described as a “strategic platform to brief the Minister on ongoing military operations nationwide, while exploring fresh measures to deepen inter-service synergy, intelligence integration, and operational efficiency in tackling evolving security threats.” The message was clear: Nigeria’s military is not only aware of the mounting dangers but is actively seeking new strategies and tighter collaboration to address them.
These discussions come amid a backdrop of intensifying security operations across the country. Nigeria is facing a dizzying array of threats, from the entrenched insurgency in the North-East to banditry and kidnapping in the North-West and North-Central, not to mention persistent communal and separatist tensions in various regions. The urgency of the moment has been further heightened by international pressure—most notably a recent ultimatum from U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened to deploy American forces to Nigeria unless the alleged killings of Christians are stopped. This external warning has added a new layer of complexity to the already fraught security landscape and appears to have galvanized Nigerian security agencies into action.
The results of this intensified military posture have been swift and, if the Army’s latest updates are any indication, significant. Within the 48 hours leading up to November 10, the Nigerian Army reported killing seven terrorists and arresting 27 others in a series of coordinated operations spanning several regions. These operations, carried out under fresh directives from Lt. Gen. Shaibu, are part of what the Army describes as “renewed combat efficiency” and a broader commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty.
According to a statement released by the Army and reported by Opinion Nigeria News, the North East remains a particular focus. Troops under Sector 3 of Operation Hadin Kai conducted a precision cordon-and-search operation in Anguwan Church, Monguno, Borno State, leading to the arrest of 12 individuals suspected of aiding terrorist logistics and intelligence. In another operation, the 192 Battalion ambushed ISWAP/JAS fighters along the Gwoza–Limankara axis, killing three terrorists and recovering an AK-47 rifle with five rounds of ammunition. Meanwhile, troops of the 25 Brigade in Damboa neutralized a terrorist attempting to infiltrate their base for surveillance—a reminder that the threat is not just from large-scale attacks but also from covert reconnaissance and sabotage attempts.
The North West and North Central regions, too, have seen a spike in military activity. Under Operation Enduring Peace, troops raided a terrorist hideout in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing two insurgents linked to recent civilian attacks. In Plateau State, four suspects connected to the killing of two residents in Riyom LGA were apprehended, demonstrating the Army’s intent to not only disrupt active terror cells but also bring perpetrators of recent violence to justice. In Niger State, troops neutralized a terrorist scout and seized a motorcycle, a mobile phone, and other operational items—small but telling victories in the ongoing effort to degrade criminal networks’ capabilities.
Throughout these operations, the Army has repeatedly stressed the importance of public cooperation. “The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its mission to protect citizens and defend the sovereignty of Nigeria,” the Army’s statement read, urging citizens to continue providing credible intelligence to support ongoing security operations. It’s a call that reflects both the scale of the challenge and the recognition that military might alone won’t be enough—local knowledge, vigilance, and community engagement are essential ingredients in the fight against terror and crime.
Behind the scenes, military leaders are acutely aware that success depends on more than just boots on the ground. The recent meeting in Abuja was as much about strategy as it was about solidarity. Discussions reportedly centered on strengthening collaboration among the services, improving intelligence sharing, and adopting new strategies to tackle emerging security threats. As the Army’s official statement put it, the engagement “provided a strategic platform to brief the Minister on ongoing military operations nationwide, while exploring fresh measures to deepen inter-service synergy, intelligence integration, and operational efficiency in tackling evolving security threats.”
It’s a tall order, and the challenges are enormous. Insurgency in the North-East, for instance, has proved remarkably resilient, with groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP adapting their tactics and exploiting local grievances. In the North-West and North-Central, criminal gangs and so-called bandits have unleashed waves of kidnappings and attacks on rural communities, fueling a climate of fear and instability. Meanwhile, communal and separatist tensions simmer in other regions, threatening to spill over into violence at the slightest provocation.
Still, there is a palpable sense that the Armed Forces are recalibrating their approach. The emphasis on unity among the leadership, the push for better intelligence sharing, and the willingness to adopt new strategies all point to a military establishment that is not content to simply react to crises as they arise. Instead, there’s a concerted effort to get ahead of the curve, anticipate threats, and build the kind of inter-service collaboration that modern security challenges demand.
But will these efforts be enough? That’s the question on the minds of many Nigerians, especially those living in the hardest-hit areas. The Army’s recent successes are encouraging, but the road ahead is long and fraught with obstacles. As international scrutiny intensifies and local communities continue to bear the brunt of violence, the Armed Forces’ ability to adapt and innovate will be tested as never before.
For now, though, the message from Nigeria’s military leaders is one of cautious optimism. They are united, they are acting, and they are calling on all Nigerians to join them in the fight for peace and security. It’s a message that resonates far beyond the walls of the Defence Ministry in Abuja, echoing across a nation that knows all too well the cost of insecurity—and the value of hope.