Chinedu Obieze
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has placed troops across Nigeria on high alert ahead of the Easter celebrations, amid rising concerns over insecurity in parts of the country.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, said the Armed Forces had activated nationwide vigilance to prevent any security breach during the festive period.
He explained that Easter, like other major celebrations, remains a sensitive period often targeted by hostile elements, stressing that the military has taken proactive steps to forestall any threat.
“We know that festive periods come with heightened security risks. Our troops have been placed on alert nationwide, and this will not be different from what we did during Christmas and Eid,” Onoja said.
The DHQ assured Nigerians that security agencies would not relax during the celebrations, noting that adversaries often attempt to exploit such periods when citizens are less vigilant.
“I can assure you that we will always be on alert, particularly at this period of festivities, because we know that the threats expect us to relax. But we are not going to relax. Everything will be okay for this Easter,” he added.
Speaking further, Onoja addressed concerns surrounding Nigeria’s ongoing military collaboration with the United States, noting that while the impact may not yet be immediately visible, significant improvements are expected in the coming weeks and months.
According to him, the support from the United States has been substantial, particularly in intelligence sharing, training, and technical assistance aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations.
“You are aware that they are bringing intelligence and training support to us, which we need. They are giving that to us on very favourable terms. There are lots of things I cannot say because of confidentiality,” he stated.
He added that the intelligence provided includes information on the location of threats and hostile elements, which Nigerian troops are expected to act upon as operations progress.
“All we can say is that these things take time. There is a gestation period when we are conducting military operations. You will not see it immediately, but in the next few months or weeks, you will feel the difference in the impact of the assistance that the U.S. is providing,” Onoja said.
The DHQ had earlier confirmed the arrival of about 100 United States military personnel and equipment at the Bauchi Airfield on February 16, 2026. The military high command clarified that the personnel are not combat troops but are in Nigeria strictly for technical assistance, training, and advisory roles.
Despite the collaboration, insecurity has continued to persist in several parts of the country since their deployment, raising concerns among citizens about how quickly the partnership will translate into tangible security improvements.
The military, however, maintained that with troops on alert and international support in place, Nigerians can expect a secure Easter celebration.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.