The Nigerian military has dismissed reports that the government secretly agreed to stop fighting Boko Haram and other armed groups.
The Defence Headquarters has denied that it made any ceasefire deal with Boko Haram, ISWAP or other armed groups. NigeriaNews Subscription
The military says operations against terrorists and kidnappers will continue across the country.
The denial follows a report that the federal government had secretly agreed to a truce with a Boko Haram faction led by Bakura Doro.
The report said the truce had brought calm to parts of the North East for about three months.
It said the deal began in June and was expected to be extended.
The report relied on three people with contacts among senior Boko Haram members.
Speaking at a joint security briefing in Abuja, Director of Defence Information Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba said there is no ceasefire of any kind.
He pointed to the number of terrorists killed, suspects arrested and kidnap victims rescued in recent operations as proof that the military is not backing down.
He said the pressure on these groups will continue.
Uba said military operations are not limited to Boko Haram and ISWAP.
They also target kidnappers and other armed criminals who threaten ordinary Nigerians. NigeriaWater Storage
He warned that anyone involved in crime will either be killed in lawful operations or taken to court.
Uba was asked about reports that insurgents are moving into areas where they were not active before.
He said this shows the impact of current operations, but the armed forces are not treating the situation lightly.
Uba also said that the troops are working out where the militants may have moved to stop them from setting up new bases.
He cited the recent killing of a senior terrorist in a forest as proof that militants cannot find safe hideouts anywhere in the country.
He also said recent changes to the armed forces’ structure, including new formations, battalions and units, are meant to close security gaps and boost troop numbers in vulnerable areas.
According to Uba, troops carried out 588 security operations in September and October.
In those operations, they killed 435 terrorists and bandits, including well known commanders such as Ali Mandara, Abba Gajiri, Habu Ikkima, Nakif Yana Faruk, Commander Gogore and Abdussamad Ohida.
They arrested 809 suspects and received 198 insurgents who surrendered voluntarily.
They also freed 717 kidnap victims and captives.
Among those rescued were 20 prospective NYSC members in Owerri, Imo State, and 11 people in Danko-Wasagu, Kebbi State.
Uba said troops made major breakthroughs in Buniyadi, Baga, Kukawa, Bittai and the Owo forest, which weakened enemy networks.
He added that troops seized 5,666 weapons, rounds of ammunition and explosives to reduce the militants’ ability to fight.