Defence Headquarters Clarifies CDS Remarks on Terrorism
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has formally dismissed a report that it claims significantly misrepresented recent comments made by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, regarding the fight against terrorism in Borno and Yobe states.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, addressed the inaccuracies, stating that the report wrongly suggested the CDS was accusing the people of Borno and Yobe of being complicit in terrorism.
Community Responsibility Emphasized
Major General Uba clarified that at no point did General Oluyede generalize about the residents of these North-East states supporting terrorist activities. Instead, he highlighted the critical need for community collaboration, vigilance, and shared responsibility in confronting the ongoing security challenges faced by the nation.
“The fight against terrorism is not solely the responsibility of the military. It is a collective duty. Residents of Borno and Yobe must denounce terrorism in all its forms and actively provide security agencies with timely and credible information,” the CDS was quoted as saying.
Call for Vigilance and Collaboration
The DHQ further explained that General Oluyede’s call for residents to “take ownership” of the counterterrorism efforts aligns with internationally recognized counterinsurgency practices, emphasizing that sustainable security can only be achieved through a strong partnership between security forces and local communities.
Additionally, the statement noted that the CDS referred to specific incidents where criminal elements exploited community structures to facilitate terrorist activities. For example, General Oluyede pointed to a particular town where some injured terrorists, previously involved in an attack against troops, were found within the community, indicating the potential for local complicity.
No Blanket Accusation Against Residents
DHQ stressed that this did not constitute a blanket accusation against the people of Borno and Yobe, but rather a factual observation intended to inspire vigilance among communities and bolster support for security agencies.
“Our people must resolve that this has to come to an end,” the CDS emphasized.
Commitment to National Defense
The Defence Headquarters reiterated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain steadfast in their constitutional duty to protect the nation’s territorial integrity and safeguard all law-abiding citizens.
Moreover, the statement highlighted that the military continues to achieve significant successes in ongoing operations throughout the North-East and other operational theatres.
Media Responsibility Urged
The military leadership called on media organizations and content creators to uphold professionalism, verify information, and refrain from sensational reporting that could generate unnecessary tension or undermine public trust.
While expressing gratitude for the resilience, cooperation, and sacrifices of the people from Borno, Yobe, and other Nigerians in combating terrorism, DHQ also recognized journalists for their contributions to the national effort for security.
“Together, we shall overcome the enemies of our nation,” concluded the statement.