19.3.2026
The Nigeria army has been urged to be proactive and not reactionary in its fight against Boko Haram and their Islamic State West African Province partners.
Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto made the charge against the background of attacks on military bases and the recent bombings in Maiduguri Borno State. He made the call Wednesday evening while declaring Friday as Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
“Take the war to the terrorists where they are. Don’t wait for them to strike before defending or finding remedies. This you must do so that, as a nation of great people, we can have peace in our country,” said the Sultan.
“The government should summon the political willpower required to provide effective security and safety for all people, to stamp out these criminal elements across the country,” he said.
Following the deadly blasts in Maiduguri Nigeria army Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede, and Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, were in Maiduguri to strengthen military operations in the Northeast.
Speaking after the meeting, Oluyede said the military is reviewing strategies to prevent recent attacks from happening again.
He also urged residents of Borno State and Yobe State to support security agencies with credible intelligence.
Oluyede added that the military is studying the use of drones by insurgents and working on ways to counter the technology.