In brief
On November 5, Nigerian military officials declared a ceasefire with Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province impossible and announced a sustained offensive to curb insurgent attacks. Recent operations have reportedly killed insurgents, captured suspects, and rescued hostages, bolstering the government's claim of progress. Meanwhile, Nigeria is in talks with Sahel states, former ECOWAS members, on security and diplomatic cooperation.
In Abuja on November 5, Nigerian military spokesperson Major‑General Samaila Uba announced that the armed forces would not entertain any ceasefire with Boko Haram or the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and would instead continue military operations against insurgents in the northeast.
The announcement came after a surge in attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP on military positions in the region, marking a significant uptick despite Nigeria’s years of counterinsurgency efforts.
“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,” Uba said at an intelligence briefing in the capital.
"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."
Speaking before the briefing, Uba highlighted recent operational gains, including the killing of insurgents, the arrest of suspects, and the rescue of hostages, citing these as evidence of continued pressure on armed groups.
The report underscored that, despite these gains, attacks continue to rise, raising questions about the long‑term effectiveness of the current strategy.
Regional Cooperation
In a related development, Nigeria stated that it is in dialogue with neighboring Sahel states that had withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The discussions focus on security and diplomatic cooperation, though the specifics of the collaboration remain undisclosed.
These talks come as Nigeria seeks to strengthen regional coordination against the growing threat posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP.
While the military’s commitment to a sustained offensive signals a firm stance against Islamist insurgents, the report does not specify whether the offensive will achieve lasting containment or the exact nature of outcomes from the Sahel state negotiations.
The lack of clarity on the long‑term impact of the offensive, combined with the evolving security dialogue with former ECOWAS members, underscores persisting uncertainties about Nigeria’s ability to neutralize insurgent forces and achieve stability in the northeast.
