RismadarVoice Reporters
March 18, 2026
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has urged residents of Borno and Yobe states to take greater responsibility in the fight against terrorism, warning that insurgent groups are being sustained partly through internal collaboration within affected communities.
Oluyede made the call after a high-level security meeting in Maiduguri attended by senior military officials, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, and the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar.
The meeting focused on reviewing counterinsurgency operations and strategies to curb attacks linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
According to the CDS, intelligence assessments suggest that band perpetrators of recent attacks have local origins and operate with knowledge of the terrain and social networks, making it harder for troops to identify and neutralise threats.
He cited a recent operation in Kukawa, where security forces reportedly found wounded insurgents hiding within the community during post-attack clearance efforts.
Oluyede stressed that while military offensives remain critical, civilian cooperation is essential to achieving lasting security in the North-East.
He called on residents to see the campaign against insurgency as a shared responsibility, noting that community support could significantly improve intelligence gathering and disrupt insurgent activities.
The defence chief also highlighted the evolving tactics of extremist groups, including increased use of drones and other technology in attacks.
He said the Nigerian Armed Forces were responding by deploying advanced surveillance and combat drone systems to enhance operational effectiveness.
His remarks underscore a broader shift towards community-driven counterinsurgency measures, as security agencies seek to combine military action with grassroots engagement to end the long-running insurgency in the region.
