Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has declared that Boko Haram, the jihadist group behind years of deadly insurgency in the northeast has been heavily weakened and is now a shadow of its former self.
Speaking during an interview with France24 on Tuesday, Idris said the group had been “significantly degraded” and is now “on its last legs” following sustained military operations and intelligence efforts by Nigerian security forces.
“Previously, Boko Haram held large swathes of territory, including local government areas, towns, and cities in the northeastern region. That’s no longer the case,” he said.
According to the minister, the group has largely scattered, retreating into remote hideouts and focusing on soft target attacks, rather than the large-scale operations and territorial control it once commanded.
“We’re not claiming a 100 percent elimination of Boko Haram, but we have weakened them to the point where they no longer pose a serious threat to national security,” Idris emphasized.
Despite this optimistic outlook, his statement came just days after Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, raised concerns over a resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in his state. The governor described recent militant actions and troop withdrawals in certain areas as a “significant setback” and urged the federal government to intensify its counter-insurgency measures.
Responding to these concerns, Idris acknowledged that while isolated attacks still occur, they do not compare to the scale of violence seen in previous years. He insisted that Nigeria has made measurable progress, not just against Boko Haram, but also against splinter groups like the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
He added that the government is extending its security clampdown to other violent groups, including Lakurawa and criminal gangs across the country.
“Our military and security agencies are doing a tremendous job,” the minister said. “What we’re seeing is the final phase of a long battle. We remain committed to restoring total peace and security.”
As Nigeria continues to tackle insurgency and banditry, the government is urging patience and unity from citizens, reaffirming its promise to secure every inch of Nigerian territory from extremist threats.
