President Bola Tinubu’s government says Islamic terrorists usually intensify their violent attacks during Ramadan period and are willing to die because they believe they “have rewards” in heaven.

Ramadan, a 30-day fast observed by Muslims worldwide, is regarded as the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

When asked why terrorist attacks had increased, defence minister Christopher Musa, in an interview with journalists on Thursday, after briefing Mr Tinubu on the security situation in the country, said, “Like I said, it is a war. Again, it is usual with terrorists during Ramadan period, they feel when they die they are going to heaven so they are ready to commit any offence, get killed because they feel they have rewards.

“We have changed our strategies. We have taken over the locations, we have killed their commanders. We will continue to do more.”

On Friday, the Islamic terrorists attacked military bases at Azir Bridge and Banki in Borno. The attacks were launched in the early hours of Friday.

“The first attack was launched at about 2:00 a.m. on troops’ positions at Azir Bridge in Sector 2, while another assault was carried out at about 3:40 a.m. on the military base at Banki in Sector 1.

“Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai in the early hours of today, March 13, 2026, successfully repelled coordinated terrorist attacks on troops’ positions at Azir Bridge in Sector 2 and Banki in Sector 1,” said the military.