Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has disclosed details of the discussions held during an emergency meeting with the country’s top military leadership following renewed attacks on military bases in the North-East.

The urgent meeting was convened on Wednesday at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja, bringing together the nation’s service chiefs and other senior security officials.

The meeting was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abass. Representatives of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and other security institutions were also present.

The emergency gathering was called in response to recent attacks by insurgents on military formations in the North-East region, which has remained a major theatre of Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations.

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Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the defence minister assured Nigerians that security forces are making significant progress in their fight against terrorism across the country.

According to him, although the military has recorded some casualties during operations, the losses suffered by terrorist groups are significantly higher.

“Our troops are working tirelessly to protect Nigerians. While we have had some casualties, the terrorists are taking the bigger hit,” the minister said.

He commended the efforts of the armed forces, noting that soldiers, airmen, and naval personnel are continuing to confront security threats across multiple regions of the country.

The minister also cautioned Nigerians against spreading unverified information on social media, warning that false narratives can undermine military operations and national security efforts.

He stressed that misinformation can create confusion and weaken public confidence in security agencies.

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The defence minister urged citizens to support the security forces by reporting suspicious activities within their communities.

According to him, addressing the country’s security challenges requires cooperation between the armed forces and the general public.

“This is a challenge for all Nigerians, not just the Armed Forces,” he said.

He also issued a strong warning to individuals or groups providing support to terrorist organisations.

The minister stated that anyone offering logistics, intelligence, or any form of assistance to insurgents would face the same consequences as the terrorists themselves.

Security agencies, he added, are intensifying efforts to track down collaborators and dismantle networks that provide support to criminal groups.

The meeting also reviewed ongoing military operations and strategies aimed at strengthening the fight against insurgency and other security threats across the country.

The minister concluded by expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly, and state governors for their continued support of the armed forces.

He expressed confidence that with sustained cooperation, strategic planning, and public support, Nigeria would overcome its current security challenges.

Observers say the emergency meeting highlights the federal government’s determination to strengthen coordination among security agencies as the country continues to confront terrorism and other forms of violent crime.