Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, on Wednesday convened an emergency meeting with the nation’s Service Chiefs following a series of deadly attacks on military formations in the North-East.
The high-level meeting, held at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja, brought together top military commanders to review the country’s counter-terrorism strategy amid escalating violence in the region.
Those in attendance included the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Air Staff, Sunday Aneke; and the Chief of Naval Staff, Idi Abass. Representatives of the National Intelligence Agency were also present.
The meeting followed recent attacks by suspected terrorists on military bases in Borno State, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of several senior officers and soldiers.
Reports indicated that at least three Commanding Officers holding the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel were killed during the assaults, while several soldiers also lost their lives. Hundreds of civilians were reportedly abducted during the attacks and remain in captivity.
Speaking briefly before the meeting proceeded behind closed doors, Musa acknowledged that the military had recorded casualties but maintained that the terrorists suffered greater losses.
“We know we have recorded some casualties, but it is more on the side of the terrorists,” he said.
The meeting is expected to review current military strategies and consider additional measures to strengthen ongoing operations against terrorist groups operating in the North-East.
Details of the deliberations were yet to be made public as the meeting continued in a closed-door session.
