Tinubu Orders Offensive Against Terrorists After Fresh Troop Casualties

President Bola Tinubu on Monday held a private meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, alongside a visiting French military general.

Presidential sources, who spoke anonymously, described the meeting as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen international cooperation in addressing Nigeria’s worsening security challenges. Later in the day, the President convened an emergency security meeting with top military and intelligence officials, including the service chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the Inspector-General of Police, and the heads of key intelligence agencies.

The high-level engagements followed a deadly incident in Borno State, where a colonel and six soldiers were killed on Sunday after their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device planted by insurgents in the North-East.

The meeting with the French officer, which began around 2 p.m., marked Tinubu’s first official engagement since returning from Bayelsa State on Friday. It comes weeks after he disclosed that France had agreed to provide Nigeria with military equipment and training to support counterinsurgency operations.

A source close to the President confirmed the meeting, noting that Tinubu remains committed to seeking international partnerships to tackle insecurity. “He has consistently stated that he will pursue support wherever it is available, and this meeting reflects that commitment,” the source said.

Another official described the meeting as strictly private, declining to provide further details. The identity of the French general was also not disclosed, and no official images were released.

The development follows Tinubu’s earlier announcement after discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, where he revealed plans to leverage Nigeria’s diplomatic goodwill and credit lines to secure military support. Speaking previously to governors in Lagos, Tinubu emphasized the need for urgent action, stating that Nigeria would explore all avenues to strengthen its security capabilities.

Monday’s meetings come amid escalating security concerns across the country. Recent incidents include a controversial airstrike near the Yobe–Borno border, where over 100 people were reportedly killed. While the military described the operation as a precision strike targeting insurgent logistics, rights group Amnesty International criticized it as reckless and called for an independent investigation. The Presidency defended the strike, maintaining that the targeted location had been used by insurgent groups as a logistics hub.

Meanwhile, the United States Department of State recently issued a security advisory authorizing the voluntary departure of non-essential staff from its Abuja embassy, citing increased risks and elevating several Nigerian states to its highest travel warning level. Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, dismissed concerns of a nationwide security breakdown, stating that most parts of the country remain stable despite localized threats.

In a statement, Lt. Col. Sanni Uba confirmed that troops under Operation Hadin Kai came under attack in Monguno. Although the insurgents were repelled, the commanding officer and six soldiers were killed after encountering an explosive device. He praised the fallen officer’s bravery, noting that his actions reflected courage, leadership, and commitment to duty. The incident adds to a growing list of attacks on military personnel in the region, including the recent killing of Brigadier General O. Braimoh in an ambush.

In Benue State, at least 14 people, including a police officer, were killed in separate attacks across multiple communities in Apa and Otukpo local government areas. Residents reported that suspected armed herders carried out coordinated assaults, killing civilians and forcing many to flee their homes. Local officials confirmed the attacks, while security forces have since deployed additional personnel to the affected areas.

Survivors of the Jilli market airstrike described a terrifying scene, claiming that multiple bombs were dropped by military jets during the operation. One victim recounted how aircraft repeatedly circled the area, releasing explosives that destroyed the market and caused mass casualties. Others said they were unaware of any insurgent presence at the location, describing it as a vital economic hub for their community. However, Babagana Zulum maintained that the market had previously been shut down and was known as a hub for insurgent logistics.