President Bola Tinubu has directed Nigeria’s top security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, following a fresh wave of terrorist attacks that left several people dead and others injured.
The directive was contained in a State House statement issued on Tuesday, in which the president also commiserated with the people of Borno over the recent violence.
Describing the development as “profoundly upsetting,” Mr Tinubu said he mourns those who lost their lives and stands in solidarity with residents affected by the attacks.
“I mourn those who lost their lives, sympathise with the injured and stand in solidarity with the people of Borno during this challenging time,” the president said.
In a decisive move aimed at stabilising the situation, the president ordered security and intelligence chiefs to immediately move to Maiduguri to coordinate operations on ground.
“Additionally, I have directed security chiefs to move to Maiduguri to take charge of the situation,” he stated.
The directive signals a hands-on approach by the federal government as concerns mount over renewed insurgent activities in the North-East, particularly in Borno, which has long been the epicentre of Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations.
The President described the latest attacks as desperate moves by insurgents under sustained military pressure.
“These acts of terror are the final desperate and frantic attempts by criminals and terrorist elements trying to instil and spread fear, as they are under constant pressure from our brave armed forces,” he said.
He assured Nigerians that the military and security agencies would intensify operations to eliminate the threat.
“There is no place in Nigeria where terrorists will find safety. We will locate them, confront them, and completely defeat them,” the president added.
The president also commended the Nigerian military and allied civilian task forces for repelling coordinated assaults on military formations in the state.
“I must commend the courage and fighting spirit of our patriotic troops who successfully repelled the coordinated attacks by these terrorists on military positions,” he said.
He described the incidents as “desperate acts of evil-minded groups,” expressing confidence that ongoing operations would “curtail and put them down.”
Mr Tinubu revealed that he had recently approved additional equipment and operational support for the armed forces during a security meeting with heads of agencies.
According to him, the reinforcements are already being deployed to strengthen ongoing operations in affected areas.
The president also directed emergency response agencies to provide immediate medical and humanitarian assistance to those injured in the attacks.
“I have also directed the emergency agencies to provide proper care for the injured,” he said.
Reaffirming his administration’s resolve, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared that Nigeria would not yield to terror.
“Nigeria will not succumb to fear,” he said.
The latest directive comes amid renewed concerns over sporadic insurgent attacks in the North-East, despite years of military operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks in the region.
Daily Nigerian
