DHQ: Military Does Not Negotiate with Terrorists or Support Payment of Ransom

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reaffirmed its position against engaging with terrorists, bandits, or any other criminal groups, as well as its opposition to paying ransoms to criminal non-state actors. The military's primary focus, according to the DHQ, is on kinetic operations, with a clear objective to "take down all the terrorists in Nigeria, or anybody who takes up arms against citizens in Nigeria."

Following the clarification on the planned withdrawal of 200 US military personnel, Major General Samaila Uba, the spokesperson for the Nigerian military, emphasized that this change does not affect the ongoing collaboration aimed at eliminating insurgent elements and denying them the opportunity to operate in Nigeria, the Lake Chad Basin, and the Sahel region.

During the Joint Security Press Briefing, General Uba reiterated that the "Nigerian Armed Forces do not negotiate with terrorists. We also do not support the payment of any ransom."

The military's participation in non-kinetic actions, such as supporting other stakeholders conducting non-combat operations, is not in conflict with its stance on dialogue with terrorists or ransom payments. This approach falls under the "whole-of-society, whole-of-nation" strategy emphasized by the Chief of Defence Staff. The military also clarified that some initiatives are state-led, such as the Kaduna State model.

General Uba stressed that the major responsibility of the military is kinetic operations, and the Nigerian Police, as the lead agency, handles internal security operations. He further clarified that the planned US withdrawal of troops should not be seen as evidence of a collapse in Nigeria's security cooperation or national defence capability.

The US presence in Nigeria remains strong, enduring, and mutually beneficial, with intelligence cooperation, training, information sharing, and joint strikes forming the basis of the security partnership.