The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has said the recent kidnaps in Borno and Kaduna states would not have happened if the military had been informed on time.
DHQ Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Buba Edward, described the abductions as a gross act of cowardice.
Addressing journalists on Thursday in Abuja, Edward said the terrorists resorted to attacking harmless citizens as a result of the onslaughts on them.
Maj Gen Edward said: “One thing I see common in the recent abduction cases was that the military was not given prior notice and notified timely for us to embark on a quick intervention and search-and-rescue operations.
“This is not the time to trade blame but what I can assure you is that we will not rest until all of these hostages are returned. We have support from our international partner and we have intelligence but because operations are ongoing, there is little we can say.”