Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has called on residents of Borno and Yobe to actively participate in the fight against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Speaking to journalists after a high-level strategy review in Maiduguri, he stressed that military operations alone cannot end the insurgency without local intelligence sharing and community vigilance.
The statements follow deadly suicide bombings on March 16, 2026, in Maiduguri at Monday Market, the Post Office, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) during Iftar prayers, which killed at least 23 people and injured over 100.
General Oluyede highlighted that many insurgents originate from local communities, emphasizing the need for residents to deny them safe havens and report any suspicious activity.
He also noted that insurgents are increasingly using drones, countered by newly acquired German-made military drones and other advanced equipment.
“The people of Borno State and Yobe must take ownership of this problem. Bulk of people perpetrating this heinous act are from these states… we must take ownership of this crisis,” he said.
The CDS reassured Nigerians that the Armed Forces remain “on top of the situation” through ongoing operations under Operation Hadin Kai.
