The theatre commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Abdulsalam Abubakar has said the infiltration of foreign mercenaries into the north-east region has strengthened the threat posed by terrorist groups like the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram.
Abubakar disclosed this following the recent arrest of four Pakistani nationals, whose initial investigation according to him suggests that they (the suspects’) deal is instructive in arms running with terrorists.
Speaking during a media tour in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, Abubakar said such involvement has led to more sophisticated tactics among terrorist groups, including the deployment of drones for surveillance and attacks, the fabrication of advanced improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and the setting of traps targeting military personnel.
“The infiltration of foreign mercenaries in the joint operations area has significantly escalated the threat posed by terrorist groups like ISWAP and JAS,” he said.
“The recent arrest of four Pakistani nationals, whose initial investigation suggests that they deal in arms running with terrorists, is instructive.
“It suffices to mention that the foreign mercenaries facilitate tactical and strategic training for these terrorists.”
Abubakar also observed a growing coordination among terrorist networks, stressing that this synergy has led to greater casualties and significant equipment losses for government forces.
“The growing influence of these mercenaries is evident in the terrorists’ increasing coordinated assets resulting in higher casualties among troops and greater equipment losses,” he said.
“This alarming trend calls for an immediate coordinated response, including intensified intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations, as well as strong collaboration between Nigeria and neighbouring nations to disrupt cross-border support network.
“The Boko Haram/Islamic States West African Province terrorists were not waging war against the armed forces but against Nigeria.”
The commander, however, praised the dedication of Nigerian troops serving under tough conditions and called for greater national support and recognition.
“We have our troops here in the field spreading different locations during these harsh weather conditions, which can rapidly become also very cold at night,” he said.
“So there are heroes, and I tell you, we will do well to appreciate them occasionally and the only way to do that is through the media.
“These are also Nigerians and it is not the terrorists against the armed forces; it is the terrorists against Nigeria as a nation. So once we begin to understand this and have a common front, we will be able to make very tangible progress,” Abubakar said.
