Nigeria’s military has ruled out any ceasefire with Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), vowing to maintain pressure on jihadists groups across Africa’s most populous country.
The statement follows reports that the government had reached a temporary truce with a Boko Haram faction led by Ibrahim Bakura Doro as part of efforts to secure the release of hundreds of civilians abducted in northeastern Borno State.
“I want to make it clear that there is nothing like a ceasefire. Considering the successes recorded across our operations, it is clear that we are not relenting,” Nigerian military spokesperson Major General Samaila Uba told reporters at a security briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
The New Humanitarian reported in September that the alleged arrangement had been in place since June after negotiations secured the release of 360 civilians abducted from Ngoshe in Borno State. Abuja denied claims that it paid 5 billion naira ($3.7 million) as part of the deal.
Nigeria has battled the Boko Haram insurgency since 2009, when the group launched an armed uprising aimed at overthrowing the government and imposing its version of Islamic rule. The militants drew global attention in 2014 after abducting 276 schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno State. ISWAP split from Boko Haram in 2016 and has since increasingly targeted military positions in the northeast.
Late last month, troops backed by air support repelled attacks on military positions in Borno and neighboring Yobe State, killing 48 Islamist fighters, according to the military. One soldier was killed and two were wounded.
Uba said troops conducted 588 operations in September and October, killing 435 terrorists and other armed fighters, arresting 809 suspects and securing the surrender of 198 insurgents. The military also said 717 kidnapped victims were rescued and more than 5,600 weapons, ammunition, explosives, and improvised explosive devices recovered.
According to the military, Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters have been pushed from traditional strongholds, with troops tracking their movements to prevent them from establishing fresh bases.
On Thursday, Uba said Nigeria is holding talks with neighboring Sahel states on security and diplomatic cooperation.
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