Nigeria rules out ceasefire with Islamists, vows sustained military offensive - TimesLIVE

Nigeria’s military on Thursday ruled out any ceasefire with Islamist groups Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), adding it will press ahead with operations against insurgent and other armed groups.

Attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP on military positions in northeastern Nigeria have surged in recent weeks despite years of military operations aimed at containing the 17-year-old insurgency in the region.

Speaking at an intelligence briefing in the capital, Abuja, military spokesperson Maj-Gen Samaila Uba said recent gains, including insurgents killed, suspects arrested and hostages rescued, showed security forces were sustaining pressure on armed groups.

“I want to make it clear that there is nothing like a ceasefire ... considering the successes recorded across our operations, it is clear that we are not relenting,” Uba said.

Nigeria is in talks with neighbouring Sahel states that left the West African bloc Ecowas on security and diplomatic cooperation, he added.