By Ihechi Enyinnaya
The United States has issued a firm warning to Boko Haram and other militant groups operating across Africa and beyond, declaring that they will be pursued and eliminated with the same strategy used against al-Qaeda.
Speaking during a briefing, American Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, said the U.S. has mapped the networks of foreign terrorist organizations and is prepared to “hunt them down and kill them.” He stated that U.S. intelligence already knows the identities, movements, affiliations, and supply routes of these groups.
“Our message to these foreign terrorist organizations is we will treat you like we have treated Al-Qaeda. We will find you, we will map your networks, we will hunt you down, and we will kill you,” Hegseth said.
He emphasized that the U.S. does not intend to merely contain or arrest extremist groups. Instead, the goal, he said, is outright destruction. According to him, the Department of War is prepared for full operational action aimed at eliminating threats to national security and global stability.
“We know exactly who these people are. We know what networks they work with, what foreign terrorist organizations they’re a part of. We know where they’re going, where they originated from, and what they’re carrying — and they know we know,” he stated.
Hegseth added that defeating Boko Haram and other terror cells would not only protect American lives but also enhance global security and reduce the burden on domestic law enforcement agencies.
“The Department of War is not going to degrade or just simply arrest. We’re going to defeat and destroy these terrorist organizations to defend the homeland on behalf of the American people,” he said.
The remarks signal a renewed aggressive counter-terrorism posture targeting militant groups with international links, including Boko Haram factions and their affiliates.
“We will hunt and kill you” U.S. vows to treat Boko Haram like al-Qaeda