The Defence Headquarters has asserted that the Nigerian military provides a more accurate and reliable account of the country's counter-terrorism efforts than external organizations. This statement was made by Maj. Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, in response to the 2025 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report, which ranked Nigeria as the sixth most terrorism-affected country globally.
The Military’s Perspective on Nigeria’s Counter-Terrorism Efforts
Kangye emphasized that only the Nigerian military can provide the true picture of the country's security situation, likening it to the head of a household. He used the analogy of a family to explain that information from an outsider is often less accurate than that of the head of the house.
“Something is happening in my house. I’m the head of the house. I have children, I have wife, someone else is reporting what is happening in my house to me. Which one would be more correct or believable? The one that I will tell you as the head of the house, or the one that someone is reporting from outside?" Kangye said.
“You, as a member of the media, that has been attending this meeting every week, you should be able to stand and correct what they are giving Nigerians.”
While Kangye did not entirely dismiss the GTI report, he urged the media to help present a more accurate narrative of counterterrorism efforts within Nigeria. He highlighted the importance of understanding local efforts and military operations, which may not be fully captured by external observers.
South East Sit-at-Home Orders and Military Operations
On the ongoing sit-at-home orders in the South East of Nigeria, Kangye reiterated that the military is working diligently to free the region from the influence of IPOB and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) fighters. However, he acknowledged that residents in the region still stay indoors on Mondays, not because of official orders, but due to fear of violence from the insurgents.
“Who gave the order? IPOB/ESN criminals,” Kangye stated. “Because of what is happening in the South East, Operation Udo Ka was set up just like Hadin Kai in the North East.”
He commended the military commanders in the South East, who he said have been performing well in their efforts to restore peace and security to the region. Despite their efforts, local residents continue to fear retaliation and thus comply with the sit-at-home orders out of fear of being attacked or killed.
Conclusion
While acknowledging challenges, the Defence Headquarters has reiterated its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s security and urged the media to report accurately on the military’s progress in counterterrorism operations. The call for accurate reporting highlights the ongoing efforts to counter insurgency and extremism, both in the South East and across the nation.
