Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), has linked the recent surge in insurgent activities to the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, explaining that extremist fighters believe dying in battle during this period secures an immediate spiritual reward.
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), has revealed that the recent intensification of attacks by Boko Haram and other extremist groups is driven by a radical belief that martyrdom during Ramadan guarantees entry into paradise. Speaking to State House correspondents on Thursday, March 12, 2026, after a high-level security briefing with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Musa explained that this ideological motivation pushes insurgents to be more reckless and violent. “As usual with the terrorists during Ramadan period, for them, they feel when they die, they are going to heaven. So they are ready to commit any offence or to get killed because they feel they have reward to do,” Musa stated, noting that the military has been forced to adapt to this seasonal shift in enemy behavior.
The security briefing, which included the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and other service chiefs, served to update the President on recent skirmishes, including a deadly assault on the Ngoshe community in Borno State. Despite these setbacks, General Musa emphasized that the Armed Forces have made significant gains by reclaiming contested locations and eliminating several high-ranking militant commanders. He assured the public that the military remains on the offensive, stating, “You can see in the past few days, we’ve taken over those locations, we’ve killed their commanders, we’ve taken over their assets. We will continue to do more.”
In response to the evolving threat, President Tinubu has approved the procurement of additional military hardware to bolster the counter-insurgency campaign. While the Minister did not specify the exact nature of the new equipment, he noted that the presidential approval is a critical morale booster for troops on the front lines. The Defence Chief urged Nigerians not to be discouraged by the media portrayal of recent attacks, insisting that the military is winning the “war of attrition” and has successfully disrupted the logistics of major terror cells. He concluded by reaffirming the military’s unwavering commitment to securing the nation, promising that the adjusted strategies would ensure a more peaceful conclusion to the fasting season.
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