Tag: DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said it will pursue all terrorists operating in the country, regardless of the names they use to disguise themselves.

The Military High Command said this in response to recent comments by Nasarawa Governor, Abdullahi Sule, who revealed the existence of a new terror group, Wulo Wulo, in the State.

Sule, during a stakeholders’ meeting with security agencies in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital, on Monday, said a new Boko Haram splinter group, Wula Wula, has infiltrated the North Central geopolitical zone.

He said the presence of the new terror group will heighten the security situation in the North Central zone, seeking heightened security measures to prevent them from committing their atrocities.

But the Military’s High Command, speaking through the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Markus Kangye, during a press briefing on Thursday, stated that the military will go after any terrorist group, regardless of the name it uses to disguise itself.

Kangye said: “Anybody can just jump up and give himself a name, or name his group, and say he’s a splinter from such-and-such terrorist group. He’s no longer just one. 

“As a military, we categorise all of them as criminals, terrorists, and bandits. Call yourself whatever name you like. You’re a terrorist, you’re a bandit, and we’ll go after you.

“Like I have always told you, Defence Correspondents, our role as the armed forces dealing with terrorists is twofold. It is either we fix an appointment for them with their maker, or we fix one between them and our judicial system. 

Read Also: Four killed as Boko Haram attacks military base in Borno

“So if we catch you during operations, we will take you in and you will answer to the court. But if you die during a firefight, the Almighty will judge you, and you’ll give your account yourself there.”

Kangye said that there are some criminal activities that are for the police to handle, and do not require military action.

Kangye explained that the police handle a wide range of cases, including murder, which can be addressed through the judicial system. Essentially, any issue with criminal implications can be dealt with by the police.

He emphasized that calling in the military for issues that are within the police’s purview would be unwarranted.

“But any group involved in acts beyond the police’s capacity to handle is where the military comes in,” Kangye said.

“And sometimes, of course you see or hear our political leaders making some comments … But the military sometimes will not join issues. We have our strategy. We have our operational area of responsibility. We have our threat assessments in every area of the country that we go after those threats and take them out,” he added.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said 16 military officers will face a full military disciplinary process over indiscipline and breach of service regulations.

The Military High Command revealed this in a statement through the Director Defence Information, Brig -Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Saturday.

According to the statement, the officers have been arrested, while investigation is still ongoing to determine the gravity of their offences.

The statement reads: “Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations, among other issues. 

Read Also: 450 terrorists arrested, 180 kidnap victims rescued in September – DHQ

“Some of the apprehended officers had been under jurisdiction for various offences, either awaiting or undergoing trial. Their conduct was deemed incompatible with the standards of military service.

“Upon completion of investigation, indicted officers will face the full military disciplinary process in accordance with established procedures to ensure accountability and preserve professionalism within the Armed Forces.”

While assuring Nigerians that the actions are strictly disciplinary in nature and part of routine efforts to maintain order, discipline, and loyalty within the ranks, the military high command said the “Armed Forces of Nigeria will not tolerate behaviour that undermines the integrity of the institution or threatens its constitutional role under democratic authority.”

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains fully committed to its constitutional responsibilities and will remain professional at all times,” the DHQ said. 

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has warned retired personnel protesting non-payment of demobilization allowances to leave the ministry of finance premises in Abuja, stating that their continued protest lacks merit.

Dozens of retired military personnel had on several occasions blocked the main gate of the Ministry of Finance in Abuja, demanding unpaid entitlements. 

Despite pleas from the military, the veterans refused to budge, insisting that their gratuities, debarment allowances, and other dues must be paid before they leave.

However, speaking through the Director Defence Media Operation, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, during a press briefing on Thursday, the military high command stated that the veterans’ continued protest at the premises not only lacks merit but also disrupts government activities at the Finance Ministry.

Maj-Gen. Kangye explained that prior to the implementation of the minimum wage, there were two charts for calculating soldiers’ gratuity and debarment allowance, in addition to the minimum wage chart.

Read Also: DHQ denies Bello Turji’s reported surrender, says manhunt ongoing

He said, “The first chart was what we call pre minimum wage chat which was effective 1st January 2024 to 28th July 2024. This was the chart based on which some retired soldiers or retired military personnel emoluments were being calculated. Then the second chart was the real minimum wage chart which took effect from 29 July to date. 

“Gratuity and security debarment allowance for military personnel is calculated based on the salary chart on the effective date of retirement. So if a soldier is retired today, the subsisting chart that his involvement will be calculated will be based on the chart today. If tomorrow another chart comes out that soldiers’ involvement will not be calculated based on that. 

“Unfortunately, those soldiers who retired from 1 January 2024 to 28 July 2024 before the implementation of the new minimum wage wanted their gratuity and security debarment allowance to be calculated based on the new minimum wage chart. This cannot be done because the policy of the new minimum wage came into effect on 29 July. 

“Thus, soldiers who fall within the category of pre minimum wage charts are those soldiers who continually protest and construct barricades at the Federal Ministry of Finance despite being educated on the two charts by Defense Headquarters.

“It is necessary to reiterate that government policies have effective dates of implementation and this case cannot be an exception.”

The defence spokesman said that while he acknowledges the veterans’ right to legitimate protest, he advised them to proceed with caution, emphasizing that the veterans’ continued protest was “seriously affecting the smooth conduct of activities” at the Federal Ministry of Finance. 

“The Defence Headquarters acknowledges freedom of legitimate protest, but the veterans are strongly advised to tread with caution and vacate the premises of the Federal Minister of Finance in order to pave the way for normal government functions to seamlessly be conducted at the Ministry,” Maj-Gen. Kangye said.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) clarifies that the Chief of Defence Staff’s (CDS) recent encouragement for Nigerians to acquire basic survival and self-protection, has been misconstrued in some quarters as a call to bear firearms.

Gen. Musa had during a Channels Television interview on Thursday evening August 20, encouraged Nigerians to develop basic survival and self‑protection skills—likening such training to widely accepted life skills such as driving, taekwando, judo and swimming, boxing amongst others.

But in a statement on Friday, the Director Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, said such encouragment by the CDS wws not a call for citizens to bear arms or to engage in unlawful possession of firearms.

Read Also: DHQ denies Bello Turji’s reported surrender, says manhunt ongoing

According to Gusau, the CDS message was intended to “promote personal resilience, situational awareness and lawful preparedness—not to encourage illegal activity.”

The defence spokesman emphasized that the Nigerian military and other security agencies continue to record significant successes in the fight against insecurity nationwide. 

These gains, Gusau said, reflect the government’s sustained commitment to protecting citizens and maintaining peace and stability,assuring Nigerians that their safety remains a top priority.

He said, “Promoting security awareness at all levels is important. Basic skills such as unarmed self‑defence, swimming and driving are valuable life skills that enhance individual preparedness and contribute to national security.”

Gusau urged the public always verified reports when interpreting public statements, and avoid sharing distorted or misleading accounts. 

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed the claim by Turkish Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, of the presence of a new terrorist group that migrated from Turkiye. 

It said Nigeria is an independent nation capable of making its own decisions, particularly on security and counterterrorism matters, and not bound by foreign claims.

Poroy had during Turkey’s Democracy and National Unity Day, alleged that members of the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation are operating in Nigeria under the guise of educational and healthcare institutions.

According to him, “The presence of such an organisation poses a threat to every country in which it operates… particularly in the fields of education and healthcare.”

Responding through the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Markus Kangye, on Thursday, the military high command said it does not recognise the claims as official or verified.

Kangye emphasized that Nigeria cannot be swayed by external commentary or claims that do not align with its own intelligence and national interest.

He said, “Information from the person you are talking about, as far as Defence Headquarters is concerned, is an unofficial announcement. Everybody is free to say whatever they want. There is freedom of information.

“Nigeria is an independent sovereign nation that can think and act for itself,” Kangye said. 

While acknowledging Nigeria’s diplomatic and military relationships with several countries, Kangye cautioned against accepting unverified foreign narratives, especially those that may undermine national integrity or incite suspicion.

He emphasised that while Nigeria country values its international allies, its security decisions would always reflect its status as a sovereign state.

Read Also: ISWAP terrorists commander, Ibn Ali, surrenders, others killed in Borno – DHQ

“We cannot take what other people are saying about Nigeria and accept it without our own independent assessment. Nigeria knows what it is, and the Nigerian military has its own code of conduct and operational guidelines,” he said.

Kangye also pointed to the rise of global propaganda and psychological operations, suggesting that foreign assertions could be part of broader strategic manoeuvres. 

“There are propagandists all over the world. Psychological oppressions go on everywhere. That’s why we must be vigilant,” he added.

Kangye, however, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to fighting terrorism on its own terms, guided by national priorities and internal intelligence. 

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops of Operation Safe Heaven rejected N13 million from terrorists during an operation in Plateau State.

The Director Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Markus Kangye, disclosed this during a press briefing on military operations across the country, on Thursday.

He said the troops were responding to a distress call about terrorist activities, when they encountered two terrorists that offered them the bribe.

Kangye said, “Within the period 9 – 16 July 2025, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted offensive operations and responded to distress calls on terrorists’ activities in Bassa, Barkin Ladi, South Wase, Riyom and Jos East Local Government Areas of Plateau State as well as Kaura and Sanga Local Government Areas of Kaduna State. 

“While conducting these operations, they contacted extremists and killed some of them, arrested 12 and rescued three kidnapped victims. Some weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered from them.  

Read Also: DHQ: we lack mandate to offer terrorists amnesty

“Similarly, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN while on routine patrol arrested 7 militias/criminals in Barkin Ladi and Jos South LGAs of Plateau State as well as Wamba and Sanga LGAs of Nasarawa and Kaduna States respectively. Items recovered from them were weapons, ammunition and motorcycles as well as illicit drugs. 

“On 9 July 2025, our gallant troops intercepted a vehicle with bullet holes along Jos, Sanga Road. Suspects attempted to induce troops with monetary gratification, while they declined. Troops arrested two suspects, recovered weapons, ammunition, a vehicle and the sum of N13,742,000.00 from them.”

He said the investigation is ongoing while recovered items are in troops’ custody.