March 13, 2026 | News | SUNTV Global Channel
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has revealed that terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) often escalate attacks during the holy month of Ramadan, believing that dying in battle guarantees them entry into heaven.
Musa made the statement on Thursday after a closed-door security briefing with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The meeting, which lasted nearly two hours, brought together Nigeria’s top security chiefs amid concerns over renewed insurgent activities in the North-East.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Musa said extremist fighters exploit Ramadan as a period of “spiritual reward,” motivating them to carry out deadly attacks on civilians and military targets.
“As usual with the terrorists during Ramadan, they feel that when they die, they are going to heaven. So they are ready to commit any offence or get killed because they believe they will be rewarded. But like I said, we have adjusted our strategies,” he explained.
The Defence Minister also highlighted recent operational gains by Nigerian security forces against insurgents, including the killing of key commanders, seizure of operational locations, and destruction of assets.
“You can see in the past few days, we’ve taken over their locations, killed their commanders, and seized their assets. We will continue to do more. Mr. President has approved several new measures, and we’re working together as a team,” Musa added.
Thursday’s briefing marked the first time President Tinubu met with Nigeria’s service chiefs since the appointment of Tunji Disu as the new Inspector-General of Police.
The announcement comes amid escalating violence in the North-East, where the insurgency has lasted over a decade, claiming tens of thousands of lives and displacing millions across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.
— SUNTV Global Channel Reporting 🇳🇬
