Mixed Reactions Trail President Tinubu's Two Years in Office Amidst Security Challenges

Strategic Insights -

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration has reached a critical juncture in addressing security threats across the country. Despite claims of achieving significant milestones in the fight against insurgency, the administration faces skepticism due to a series of attacks on military bases. The Nigerian government has acknowledged that 13,543 terrorists and other criminal elements have been killed since May 2023, with over 10,000 hostages rescued. However, these achievements do not translate to an absolute sense of security for the common man, as killings continue to occur in several states.

Key Takeaways:

  • The fight against insurgency has yielded mixed results, with 13,543 terrorists and other criminal elements killed since May 2023 and over 10,000 hostages rescued.
  • Despite the claimed successes against terrorists and bandits, the Nigerian Military has recorded seven terror attacks on its bases this year alone, resulting in the loss of soldiers, weapons, ammunition, and equipment.
  • The attacks have also affected the planned return and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno and other states.
  • The Chief of Army Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has replaced the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai and all his field commanders following these setbacks.
  • The Nigerian government has acknowledged the complicity of some insiders in the military and security agencies in facilitating the activities of terrorists, citing the case of a soldier who kidnapped a former director of the Department of State Services (DSS).
  • The Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, the Chief of the Air Staff, has disclosed that the NAF has received two new aircraft within the year and expected an additional 49 others to boost its order of battle.
  • The NAF has flown over 4,500 hours across 2,304 sorties, executing nearly 2,000 counterinsurgency missions.
  • The naval service has delivered three helicopters and three ships to boost its operations and has seized an estimated 6.5 million litres of stolen crude oil and 7 million litres of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil since January 2025.

Statistics:

  • 13,543 terrorists and other criminal elements killed since May 2023.
  • Over 10,000 hostages rescued.
  • 7 terror attacks on military bases this year alone, resulting in the loss of soldiers, weapons, ammunition, and equipment.
  • Over 4,500 hours flown across 2,304 sorties by the NAF.
  • Nearly 2,000 counterinsurgency missions executed by the NAF.
  • Over 2,600 anti-banditry sorties carried out by the NAF, resulting in 4,670 hours of flight time.
  • 366 sorties targeting crude oil theft and illegal refining conducted by the NAF, amassing more than 1,450 hours of flight time.
  • 173 missions and 265 sorties executed by the Air Component of OPDS, accumulating approximately 270 flying hours in support of joint military operations and independent strikes.
  • Over 100 illegal refining sites, 53 boats, 74 cooking tanks, two reservoirs, and several transport vehicles destroyed by the NAF.

Sources:

  • LEADERSHIP
  • National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu
  • Defence Headquarters
  • Chief of Army Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede
  • Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, the Chief of the Air Staff
  • Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of the Naval Staff