The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed reports that the Federal Government entered into a secret peace agreement with Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other armed criminal groups.
The military maintained that no ceasefire agreement exists with the insurgent groups, insisting that security operations across the country would continue.
The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, made this known on Thursday, November 5, during a joint security briefing in Abuja.
His clarification followed reports alleging that the Federal Government had reached a temporary ceasefire agreement with a faction of Boko Haram led by Ibrahim Bakura Doro.
The report claimed that the alleged arrangement had been in place since June and contributed to relative calm in parts of the North-East following negotiations linked to the release of hundreds of civilians abducted from Ngoshe community in Borno State.
However, addressing journalists, Uba categorically rejected the claim.
“On the issue of whether there is a ceasefire with Boko Haram, I want to make it clear that there is nothing like a ceasefire,” he said.
He explained that the military’s continued operations, including the neutralisation of terrorists, arrest of suspects and rescue of kidnapped victims, demonstrated that troops were maintaining pressure on criminal groups.
According to him, the Armed Forces would not relent in their efforts to tackle terrorism and other security threats across the country.
Uba further clarified that military operations were not limited to Boko Haram and ISWAP but also targeted kidnappers and other armed criminal networks threatening the lives and security of Nigerians.
He warned that individuals involved in activities endangering public safety would be dealt with through lawful military operations or brought to justice.
The Defence Headquarters also addressed concerns about reports of insurgents moving away from their traditional strongholds into previously less-affected areas.
Uba described the development as an indication of the pressure mounted by military operations, adding that the Armed Forces were monitoring the movements of insurgents to prevent them from establishing new bases elsewhere in the country.
He assured Nigerians that the military remained committed to sustaining its counterterrorism operations and protecting communities across the federation.
