By Cross Udo, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday convened an emergency high-level security meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, bringing together the nation’s military commanders, intelligence chiefs and top security advisers as the Federal Government moves to reassess and recalibrate its response to escalating security threats across several parts of the country.
The meeting, which lasted more than two hours behind closed doors, formed part of what sources described as a comprehensive review of ongoing military operations and emerging security challenges confronting the country.
The gathering comes amid renewed attacks by terrorists and bandits in parts of the North-East and North-West, as well as growing concerns over attempts by insurgent groups to regain momentum in some theatres of operation.
In attendance were National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye; Inspector-General of Police, Olatunde Disu; Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi; Director-General of the NIA, Mohammed Mohammed; and the President’s Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka Famadewa (retd.), among other senior security officials
Although details of deliberations were not officially disclosed as of press time, Presidency sources said discussions centred on a broad assessment of security operations nationwide, the effectiveness of current strategies and possible adjustments required to confront evolving threats.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of intensified military offensives that have recorded significant gains against armed groups in recent weeks.
Only days earlier, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, backed by the Air Component of the Joint Task Force in the North-West, foiled what security authorities described as a major terrorist offensive targeting communities in Zamfara and Katsina states.
During the operation carried out on July 7, Nigerian Air Force fighter aircraft reportedly tracked and engaged a large convoy of armed fighters, estimated at 300, who were advancing on motorcycles from the Sunke-Kumbo corridor towards the Gummi axis.
Military sources said precision airstrikes disrupted the movement and inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorists, preventing what could have developed into a major attack on vulnerable communities.
In another breakthrough, troops eliminated Alhaji Tukur, identified as a notorious bandit commander and younger brother of wanted kingpin Alhaji Shehu Bagiwaye, during an operation in the Dogon Kade area.
The North-East theatre has also witnessed renewed hostilities in recent weeks.
On July 1, troops of Operation Hadin Kai successfully repelled a fresh assault on the Mairari military base following a series of coordinated attacks on military formations by fighters believed to be linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Available records indicate that no fewer than 13 attacks on military facilities have been recorded in 2026, with the majority occurring in Borno State, the epicentre of Nigeria’s long-running insurgency.
Although the Presidency remained silent on the resolutions reached at the meeting, previous engagements between the President and security chiefs have often led to fresh directives to intensify military operations.
At an earlier security briefing in March, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, assured Nigerians that, despite isolated attacks, security forces were gaining the upper hand against insurgents and criminal gangs.
“Despite the concerns being raised in some quarters, terrorist groups and bandits are suffering severe losses on the battlefield. Their leadership structure is being degraded continuously, and several of their commanders are being eliminated,” Musa had said.
“Our forces remain fully committed to restoring peace and stability, and we remain optimistic that victory is only a matter of time,” he added.
