Military Moves to Choke Logistics, Financial Lifelines Sustaining Asymmetric Warfare

The Nigerian Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has announced a new military strategy aimed at curbing the financial and logistical support that fuels asymmetric warfare in the country. This shift in focus comes after a significant reduction in large-scale terrorist attacks by groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, with the military asserting that the conflict has evolved from a structured insurgency to isolated criminal cells.

Musa emphasized that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in collaboration with intelligence agencies, have managed to disrupt major terrorist networks, leading to a decline in brazen attacks on communities. He warned villagers against providing intelligence to terrorist groups or supplying them with logistics, as these actions are prolonging the insurgency and causing unintended consequences.

The minister cautioned that a rise in security incidents is often observed ahead of major political events, such as the upcoming elections in January. He suggested that political actors might be exploiting these incidents to negatively influence public opinion against the government. However, he assured the public that security forces are actively working to control these issues, and political activities will continue uninterrupted and securely.

Musa also revealed that the military has been cooperating with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to track and intercept illicit funding networks, including those involving proxy accounts, social media crowdfunding, and cryptocurrency. Following a summit with the United States State Department, Nigeria is set to deploy advanced counter-funding tools to isolate foreign influences like ISIS from local affiliates.

Addressing concerns about the survival of terrorist cells, Musa highlighted that increased military pressure is leading to mass surrenders as low-level fighters realize they have been deceived. His forces have rescued over 700 captives through daily operations, and the military is currently maintaining its operational momentum.

President Bola Tinubu has instructed a review of salaries and pensions for serving troops and military veterans, with the next disbursement scheduled for the end of September 2026. Musa also assured that individuals supplying resources to terrorist cells are directly prolonging the conflict and its negative impacts. The Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) are conducting an extensive investigation into a recent plot to disrupt the nation's democracy.

To prevent similar incidents, Musa urged Nigerians to report suspicious activities through existing security frameworks. The Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service have activated control hubs along the 1,500-kilometre border with Niger, supported by drone reconnaissance and 12 active military divisions. Additionally, the military has expanded its presence to 12 active divisions and added four new divisions for localized monitoring, supported by personnel recruitment across the Nigeria Police Force, Civil Defence, and the creation of a new Homeland Adviser role for domestic intelligence.