Defence Minister reveals root cause of Boko Haram resurgence in Nigeria

Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has attributed the recent spike in Boko Haram attacks in Borno State to a broader strategy aimed at destabilising the entire Sahel region, which includes Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic.

Speaking to journalists in Kaduna on Tuesday after a two-day visit to top military institutions, Badaru warned that the insurgents are recalibrating their operations to exploit regional instability and pose a greater threat beyond Nigeria’s borders.

“What we are witnessing is not just a localised security issue. Boko Haram’s actions are clearly tied to a wider objective to destabilise the Sahel,” Badaru said.

The minister’s visit included tours of Buffalo Engineering Technical Services, the Air Force Institute of Technology, and the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

READ ALSO:

“There is a renewed vigour by the insurgents to destabilise the Sahel,” the minister said.

“We are doing a lot to curtail them, and if you will be fair to us, you’ll notice that in the past week or two, the armed forces have gained momentum—attacking and eliminating them. The serial attacks on soldiers’ camps have been reduced to the barest minimum.”

He assured that the Federal Government was working tirelessly to respond to growing security threats across the North-East and North-Central regions.

Speaking on the escalating violence in Benue State, Badaru explained that the crisis was mainly communal, driven by recurrent clashes between farmers and herders.

According to him, the situation requires a largely non-kinetic approach.

“We are working on resolving these conflicts by engaging communities and ensuring herders remain within designated grazing areas. We are making progress in both providing security and preventing further violence,” he said.

On the broader security landscape, the minister acknowledged that while significant gains had been recorded against banditry in the North-West, other regions continued to experience attacks, reflecting the evolving nature of insecurity in the country.

“In the North-East, especially Borno State, we’ve witnessed the resurgence of Boko Haram, which aligns with what is currently unfolding in the Sahel. If you are following developments in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, you’ll see that attacks have intensified across the region.

“The troops are doing wonderfully well. It’s a new threat, and we are tackling it. We will overcome it, and normalcy will return – by the special grace of God and your prayers,” he added.

The minister also commended the combined kinetic and non-kinetic efforts by the armed forces and the Kaduna State Government to restore peace in Birnin Gwari and other troubled parts of the state.

“Markets have reopened, and traffic is now flowing in and out of the local government area unhindered,” he said.

Badaru expressed satisfaction with the level of advancement in research and development (R&D) achieved by Nigeria’s military institutions, highlighting ongoing efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in locally made military equipment.

“The institutions are doing a very good job. They are following the President’s directive for deep research so that we’ll eventually become self-sufficient in our military requirements—including platforms and equipment needed for our armed forces,” he said.

He cited the repair and maintenance of Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles as one of the major milestones.

“Most of the damage to MRAPs is being repaired here. We’ve seen commendable work in maintenance, innovation, and development. The new Buffalo MRAPs and other equipment produced are really impressive,” he said.

On military training, Badaru reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening officer education at the NDA.

“Training is critical to any development, especially within the armed forces. We will continue to support the Nigerian Defence Academy to ensure the cadets are well-trained and emerge as highly capable and committed officers,” he said.