Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), has said his visit to Maiduguri was aimed at consoling the people of Borno State and reviewing recent security developments with a view to strengthening ongoing military operations against insurgents.
General Musa, who arrived in the Borno State capital alongside the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, described the trip as both a condolence visit and a strategic assessment mission following recent security incidents in the state.
The Defence Minister spoke on Tuesday while addressing journalists shortly after visiting the Military Cemetery at Maimalari Cantonment along Monguno Road. His briefing followed a closed-door meeting that lasted about two hours with the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, alongside General Officers Commanding Sector 1 Maiduguri, Sector 2 Damaturu, Sector 3 Monguno, as well as other unit and brigade commanders.
He reassured the Borno State government and residents that the military would intensify efforts to prevent a recurrence of recent attacks, stressing that fresh strategies were being developed in collaboration with other security agencies and local communities.
According to him, security remains a collective responsibility requiring the cooperation of all citizens.
“Security is everybody’s job and not only the job of the military or security agents, pointing out that, it is every body’s business. Without security, there wouldn’t be any meaningful developments. All what we need is peace. Everybody to support and cooperate with the military to end the war,” he said.
General Musa also urged Nigerians to appreciate the sacrifices of troops on the frontline, noting that soldiers continue to risk their lives to defend the country.
“The military are also human beings like everybody. They have families and have been sacrificing their lives protecting the country, lives and properties of the people. So, Nigerian need to appreciate and commend our troops not to make bad comments at every slightest mistake or issue.
“We need to pray and encourage our troops to fight these elements and end the fight but not to discourage them. They are doing very well and have made lots of successes in many parts of the country even in Borno and Lake Chad region.
“But these have not been widely reported by the media. This is where I would like the media to continue to give the military operations and successes more and wider reports for the whole world to know our troops are good and doing well,” he added.
The Defence Minister further disclosed that the Federal Government had approved procurement of new military equipment to strengthen operations.
“The president has approved the payments of new equipment and machineries including aircrafts and armories to fight the insurgents harder. All we need is peoples prayers, support and cooperation.
“Let the people continue to cooperate and support the military with intelligence anytime anywhere to enable the troops win the war and return peace permanently to the state and region as well as country at large. Your cooperation and support is highly needed,” Gen Musa said.
He also commended the media for its role but urged journalists to maintain objectivity and balanced reporting while highlighting military successes.
During his visit, the Defence Minister commissioned a block of 30 housing units for troops at the Theatre Command Headquarters and addressed soldiers, urging discipline and professionalism in ongoing operations.
He warned that the military would not tolerate indiscipline or misconduct among personnel, while encouraging troops to intensify operations against Boko Haram insurgents.
General Musa also assured soldiers of improved welfare, including regular salary payments, enhanced accommodation, and new operational equipment already approved by the Federal Government.
He reiterated that troop welfare remains a top government priority alongside efforts to bring insurgency in the North-East to a decisive end.