During an intelligence briefing in Abuja, military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba said the Nigerian government was in discussions with Sahelian states (Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger) on regional security and diplomatic cooperation, Reuters reported on Nov. 5. He also rejected reports of a ceasefire agreement with armed groups like Jama'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihad, also known as JAS or Boko Haram, and the Islamic State West Africa Province, adding that Nigeria would press ahead with counterterrorism operations.