The Defence Headquarters has attributed the recent resurgence of attacks by terrorists in Borno State to the influx of foreign fighters who are reinforcing local terrorists in the North-East.

It vowed to decisively combat the new threat by the terrorists and their collaborators.

Major General Edward Buba, the spokesperson for the DHQ, told newsmen on Thursday in Abuja that the situation is being made worse by local collaborators disclosing troops’ movement.

He acknowledged the recent set backs recorded by troops in Damboa, Chibok, and Gwoza, but reiterated the commitment of the military to bring the criminals to their knees.

“I will say that the resurgence of these attacks by these terrorists is attributable to an influx of foreign fighters that come in as reinforcement for these terrorists.

“These foreign fighters are from the Sahelian region and this situation is made worse by local collaborators that form a support base for these terrorists.

“They serve as informants reporting on troops’ movement to the terrorists. In spite of the situation, troops are profoundly cautious of their role and responsibilities in fighting insurgency across the nation,” he said.

Buba added that in spite of the occasional tactical setbacks, the military’s “strategic objective to break the terrorists’ will to fight remained unhindered”.

“Defeating an enemy means destroying or breaking his will to fight and the military is achieving this by the cumulative effort of neutralising their operatives, commanders and senior leaders.”

He assured that the troops would continue to obliterate terrorists’ logistics, administrative and fighting assets.

“We are applying regional and international pressure, as well as engaging the media. All these combine to destroy the terrorists’ will to fight.

“Wars are fought and won all over the world by destroying the enemy’s will to fight, and we are bent on achieving just that.

“We understand that this war is not a quick fix, but a long and enduring military operation at the end of which these terrorists will be destroyed and we will have a better world.

“Overall, we understand that we all want to be in a different situation, a situation whereby all this insecurity is over and the terrorist is completely eradicated,” he added.