Military denies ceasefire with Boko Haram, says operations ongoing

The Defence Headquarters has denied reports that the Federal Government entered into a ceasefire with Boko Haram and other armed groups, saying military operations against them will continue.

Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, told reporters at a joint security briefing in Abuja on Thursday that there was no such agreement.

"On the issue of whether there is a ceasefire with Boko Haram, I want to make it clear that there is nothing like a ceasefire," Uba said.

He said recent operations showed the military was not relenting, citing the number of suspects arrested, kidnapped victims rescued and fighters killed.

What the reports said

The denial comes after The New Humanitarian reported that the government had entered a secret truce with a Boko Haram faction led by Bakura Doro. According to the report, republished by Premium Times, the truce had been in effect since June and was expected to be extended.

The report linked the truce to efforts to secure the release of more than 300 civilians abducted in March from Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. It said the truce did not cover the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which remains active in the Lake Chad region.

HumAngle reported that a Boko Haram judge denied the truce, with sources suggesting a small team may have agreed to the government's request without approval from the group's leadership.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga declined to comment when Premium Times asked, directing questions to the Office of the National Security Adviser or the Ministry of Defence.

Operations continue

Uba said the military's operations were not limited to Boko Haram and ISWAP but also targeted kidnappers and other armed groups.

He said troops carried out 588 operations in September and October, killing 435 terrorists and bandits, arresting 809 suspects and rescuing 717 kidnapped victims.

He also said 198 insurgents surrendered voluntarily, and that troops recovered 5,666 arms, ammunition, explosives and improvised explosive devices.

On reports that insurgents were moving into areas where they were previously less active, Uba said this showed military operations were having an impact, but that the military was mapping out possible new locations to prevent them from establishing bases.

For Nigerians, the military's denial means the security situation in the North-East and other affected areas remains uncertain. The reported truce had been linked to relative calm in parts of the region, and its denial suggests operations will continue.

What happens next

The military says it will sustain pressure on armed groups. The government has not commented on the reported truce, and it is unclear whether any deal exists.