The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has indicated that foreign fighters are fueling terrorist attacks in the North East and North West.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, revealed this information to the media in Abuja on January 16th.

“The resurgence in terror attacks can be attributable to the influx of foreign fighters that come in as reinforcement for these terrorists. These foreign fighters are from the Sahelian Region. The other contributing factor is the local collaborators that form a support base for these terrorists.

He stated that the recent increase in terrorist attacks can be attributed to the influx of foreign fighters who provide support to local terror groups, particularly from the Sahelian Region.

Additionally, local collaborators play a role by acting as informants for the terrorists, reporting on troop movements.

Despite facing tactical setbacks, Major Buba expressed confidence in the troops' ability to achieve their strategic objective of defeating the terrorists. He highlighted the troops' success in disrupting the terrorists by targeting their key assets such as logistics, administration, and combat capabilities.

Furthermore, Major Buba emphasized the importance of applying regional and international pressure, as well as engaging the media, to weaken the terrorists' will to fight. He acknowledged that the fight against terrorism is a long-term military operation, but the ultimate goal is to eradicate the terrorists and create a safer world for all.

“And of course, we are applying regional and international pressure, as well as engaging the media. All these combine to destroy the terrorist will to fight. Wars are fought and won all over the world by destroying the enemy’s will to fight. And we are bent on achieving just that. We understand that this war is not a quick fix, but a long and enduring military operation at the end of which these terrorists will be destroyed and we will have a better world. Overall, we understand that we all want to be in a different situation, a situation whereby all this insecurity is over and the terrorist is completely eradicated” he added.