We Have Capacity to Crush Terror Networks, Rescue Abductees — Security Chiefs

Security agencies on Thursday declared that Nigeria possesses the operational strength, intelligence reach and coordination needed to defeat terrorist networks. They also assured that all abducted pupils and teachers across the country would be rescued.

The assurance came amid rising insecurity concerns, including recent school attacks and mass abductions in parts of Oyo and Borno States, which have heightened public anxiety over safety in educational institutions.

The briefing was delivered at a special national security engagement held in Abuja, where top officials reviewed ongoing counterterrorism operations and rescue missions across the country.

Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Samaila Uba, said military operations had significantly degraded terrorist strongholds, forcing many of them into disarray and displacement.

“We have gone to every nook and cranny where these terrorists are located, destroyed their logistic hubs, their bases and their camps,” Uba said.

He added that continued pressure from security forces was responsible for shifting patterns of criminal activity in some parts of the country.

“What we are witnessing in some areas is a spillover effect of successes recorded in their traditional hideouts,” he noted.

Uba maintained that the armed forces would continue to pursue criminal elements wherever they operate.

“Anybody who takes up arms against Nigeria, the Nigerian Armed Forces will fish him out and he will be neutralised,” he said.

On the issue of rescue operations, the Director of Legal Services at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Zakari Mijinyawa, stressed that hostage recovery requires careful planning rather than rushed action.

He said intelligence-led operations remain central to safeguarding the lives of victims.

“The objective of security is to save lives. It is not to impress. It is to ensure that they come back safe and sound to their families and communities,” Mijinyawa stated.

He dismissed claims that security agencies lacked capacity, insisting that operational strategy and timing were key considerations.

“It is not an issue of capacity. It is an issue of methodology and strategy, especially when hostages are involved,” he said.

The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, also reaffirmed that all security agencies were fully engaged in ongoing operations, but noted that certain details could not be disclosed for strategic reasons.

“All Nigerians should be rest assured that the Federal Government and all the security agencies are doing the needful,” he said.

Earlier, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, assured Nigerians that the safe return of abducted pupils and teachers remained a top national priority.

He said multiple security and intelligence agencies were working in close coordination to ensure successful rescue operations nationwide.

“The safe return of every child and every teacher currently in captivity remains a top national priority,” Idris said.

He added that intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance and coordinated search-and-rescue operations were ongoing in affected areas.

“The President has made it clear that no child belongs in captivity and that no effort will be spared in bringing perpetrators to justice,” he stated.

The minister noted that the government’s response combines military pressure, intelligence coordination, regional cooperation and long-term security reforms, including improved policing structures.

He also highlighted ongoing military gains against terrorist groups, particularly in the North-East, where hundreds of insurgents have been neutralised and civilians rescued in recent operations.

Security officials further referenced recent prosecutions and convictions of terrorism suspects as part of efforts to ensure accountability beyond the battlefield.

They urged Nigerians to support security agencies with credible information and avoid actions that could undermine ongoing operations.

According to them, terrorism thrives on fear and misinformation, and defeating it requires collective national resolve.

The briefing ended with a renewed commitment by security agencies to intensify operations until all abducted persons are safely returned and terrorist networks dismantled.

Terror fight, Abduction rescue, Security chiefs, Terror networks, National security,

We Have Capacity to Crush Terror Networks, Rescue Abductees — Security Chiefs

Security agencies on Thursday declared that Nigeria possesses the operational strength, intelligence reach and coordination needed to defeat terrorist networks. They also assured that all abducted pupils and teachers across the country would be rescued.

The assurance came amid rising insecurity concerns, including recent school attacks and mass abductions in parts of Oyo and Borno States, which have heightened public anxiety over safety in educational institutions.

The briefing was delivered at a special national security engagement held in Abuja, where top officials reviewed ongoing counterterrorism operations and rescue missions across the country.

Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Samaila Uba, said military operations had significantly degraded terrorist strongholds, forcing many of them into disarray and displacement.

“We have gone to every nook and cranny where these terrorists are located, destroyed their logistic hubs, their bases and their camps,” Uba said.

He added that continued pressure from security forces was responsible for shifting patterns of criminal activity in some parts of the country.

“What we are witnessing in some areas is a spillover effect of successes recorded in their traditional hideouts,” he noted.

Uba maintained that the armed forces would continue to pursue criminal elements wherever they operate.

“Anybody who takes up arms against Nigeria, the Nigerian Armed Forces will fish him out and he will be neutralised,” he said.

On the issue of rescue operations, the Director of Legal Services at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Zakari Mijinyawa, stressed that hostage recovery requires careful planning rather than rushed action.

He said intelligence-led operations remain central to safeguarding the lives of victims.

“The objective of security is to save lives. It is not to impress. It is to ensure that they come back safe and sound to their families and communities,” Mijinyawa stated.

He dismissed claims that security agencies lacked capacity, insisting that operational strategy and timing were key considerations.

“It is not an issue of capacity. It is an issue of methodology and strategy, especially when hostages are involved,” he said.

The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, also reaffirmed that all security agencies were fully engaged in ongoing operations, but noted that certain details could not be disclosed for strategic reasons.

“All Nigerians should be rest assured that the Federal Government and all the security agencies are doing the needful,” he said.

Earlier, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, assured Nigerians that the safe return of abducted pupils and teachers remained a top national priority.

He said multiple security and intelligence agencies were working in close coordination to ensure successful rescue operations nationwide.

“The safe return of every child and every teacher currently in captivity remains a top national priority,” Idris said.

He added that intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance and coordinated search-and-rescue operations were ongoing in affected areas.

“The President has made it clear that no child belongs in captivity and that no effort will be spared in bringing perpetrators to justice,” he stated.

The minister noted that the government’s response combines military pressure, intelligence coordination, regional cooperation and long-term security reforms, including improved policing structures.

He also highlighted ongoing military gains against terrorist groups, particularly in the North-East, where hundreds of insurgents have been neutralised and civilians rescued in recent operations.

Security officials further referenced recent prosecutions and convictions of terrorism suspects as part of efforts to ensure accountability beyond the battlefield.

They urged Nigerians to support security agencies with credible information and avoid actions that could undermine ongoing operations.

According to them, terrorism thrives on fear and misinformation, and defeating it requires collective national resolve.

The briefing ended with a renewed commitment by security agencies to intensify operations until all abducted persons are safely returned and terrorist networks dismantled.