Since this year, Boko Haram terrorists and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) have increased their attacks in the North-east particularly Borno state leading to the deaths of many soldiers and civilians. BENJAMIN SAMSON in report takes a look at the attacks and speaks with experts on what can be done to stem the terrorists.
Malam-Fatori
Last week, 22 soldiers were killed when suspected Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters invaded a military base in Malam-Fatori in Borno state. It was reported that the ISWAP terrorists arrived on gun trucks and attacked the 149 Battalion of the Nigeria Army in Malam-Fatori, a border town with Niger Republic. Survivors said they took the troops by surprise, killing the commanding officer, a lieutenant colonel, among others. The invading fighters also burned buildings, forcing some residents to flee the town. However, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) while confirming the attack said troops killed over 70 terrorists in the battle.
Farmers
Likewise, on January 12, 2025 suspected Boko Haram terrorists reportedly killed 40 farmers in Kukawa local government area of Borno state. This is barely 24 hours after two people were killed and a church was set ablaze in a similar attack on Chibok community, southern part of the state a few days earlier.
Damboa
Similarly, on January 7, 2025 Boko Haram terrorists killed six soldiers in an attack on a Forward Operating Base in the Damboa local government area of Borno state.
Boot on ground
Speaking with this reporter, a security analyst and convener of Eagle Eyes, a civil society organisation, Dr. Omeje Otu, said the military needs more men in order to defeat the terrorists.
He said, “The government must also change its approach to the war against the terrorists in view of their audacious attacks on the military. The kinetic strategy must be heightened. The troops must take the war to the hideouts of the terrorists and decimate them.
“Let the government increase the numerical strength of the military to further boost the war effort. We need more men to withstand the growing insurgency in the North-east and banditry in the North-west and insecurity in the South-east.
“Although I commend the strides made so far by the military, the continuous killing of our troops and civilians should be minimised. According to a survey by Global Firepower, the Nigerian Armed Forces are the most powerful military in sub-Saharan Africa, and the third most powerful military in Africa, behind Egypt and Algeria. It is also ranked 31st in the world.
“However, Egypt and Algeria, which have smaller populations than Nigeria, have more military personnel. The Egyptian Army boasts of 310, 000 soldiers and the Algerian Army has personnel strength of around 450, 000, which is twice that of Nigeria. Algeria is not engaged in any war at the moment, compared to Nigeria. This is why the Nigerian military should urgently recruit more personnel to effectively handle the lingering conflicts in parts of the country. The reliance on vigilantes to assist the military in some troubled spots is only a short-term measure. Nigeria needs twice the strength of its current military personnel to effectively deal with threats against our territorial integrity.”
Technology
In his view, a cyber security expert, Muazu Awaal, called for the deployment of technology in the fight against insurgency.
He said, “The war against the terrorists can be boosted with technology, especially drones and other high precision weapons. As the terrorists are getting more sophisticated, our troops should be ahead of them in all departments of the war. There should be no excuses or margin for error any longer in the prosecution of the war. Recent global conflicts have tilted in favour of parties with more sophisticated weapons.
“Unmanned drones have become increasingly effective in hitting enemy targets. Precision missiles fired from a distance have also effectively picked enemy targets.
“It must be noted that modern warfare relies less on physical combat. It has become obvious that Nigeria cannot win the war against the terrorists without deploying adequate technology. While the increasing annual budget spending for defence is laudable, timely release of the fund has become imperative. Above all, let intelligence gathering and sharing among the troops be intensified.”
Financing
Also speaking with this reporter, the executive director of Follow the Money, Mr. Habila Ishaku, urged the federal government to track the sources funding of terrorists.
“Islamic terrorism has plagued Nigeria since 2009, leaving behind a trail of death, displacement, economic stagnation, and emotional scars on countless families and communities. Despite the best efforts of the Nigerian military, law enforcement, and local vigilance groups, terrorism continues to thrive, partly due to the secret enablers who fund and sustain it.
“These financiers are the invisible architects of carnage, providing resources for weapons, recruitment, and logistics support to terrorist organisations. Unmasking these backers of evil is a critical step in dismantling the infrastructure of terror. It is not enough to reel out numbers pointing to faceless individuals. Nigerians deserve to know those paying for them to die.
“To achieve this, the government must strengthen financial intelligence gathering, collaborate with international partners to trace and freeze assets and enforce strict penalties for anyone found guilty of financing terrorism. More importantly, the government must engender the political will to pursue these actions, even when the trail leads to powerful individuals,” he said.
Continuing, he said, “There are deep-seated suspicions that terrorism in the North is partly the handiwork of local elements and foreign collaborators bent on creating ungoverned spaces to allow for the plunder of gold and other minerals.
“The argument that publicly naming financiers might jeopardise ongoing investigations is valid, but insufficient. Keeping their identities secret only emboldens these individuals and allows them to extend their influence even into the corridors of power and undermine efforts to hold them accountable.
“If Nigeria truly seeks to reclaim its sovereignty from terrorists and bandits, it must show no hesitation in naming and bringing even the most untouchable figures to justice.”
Foreign fighters
For counter terrorism expert and retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Austin Aidelije, the military should carry out a review of its operations with a view of finding reasons for the renewed attacks.
He said, “At a time like this, it may be incumbent on the military to carry out a thorough review and reassessment of the dynamics that have given rise to these renewed attacks. It is not out of place that successes recorded in recent military offensive campaigns leading to the killings of several bandits and their key leaders could have led to a shift in the modus operandi of ISWAP. It has been widely reported that many of the ISWAP fighters neutralised in recent attacks in the North-east were foreigners.
“The resurgence of attacks can also not be isolated from the complex situations developing in the West African Sahel region which provides feed to ISWAP in terms of manpower, weapons and ammunition.
“In 2024, an organisation known as the Clingendael Institute raised concerns about the increasing influx of violent extremists in the Kainji Lake National Park. In recent times too, a new militant group known as Lakurawa has been carrying out attacks in some communities in the North-west. What all these signify is that Nigeria would need to reinvigorate its efforts in cooperation with other countries within the Sahel region to ensure better synergy in the fight against insurgency and banditry.”
He also called on the military to reinforce its intelligence and surveillance capability through the effective use of technology.
“One noticeable game-changer in their campaign in the North-west has been the deployment of armed drones to enhance surveillance and strike capability. Armed drones are quite expensive but would provide valuable support in the vast terrain of the region
“This is one area where the government would need to provide funding for the military beyond the envelope budgetary approvals for acquisition of armed drones and other important equipment.”
Multiple-approach tactic
A resident of the North-east and convener, Consumer Assembly, in his opinion urged the government to adopt multiple-approach tactics in its counter terrorism operations.
“As someone from one of the most affected states, I advise the government to adopt a multi-pronged tactic to address the issue of insecurity. There is also a need for collaboration with international partners to enhance intelligence sharing,” he said.
According to him, counter-terrorism training is also essential in the fight against insurgency.
“At the federal level, there is a need for increased funding and equipping of security agencies with modern technology, such as drones, surveillance systems, and advanced weaponry. At the state level, governors must take ownership of security by strengthening local vigilance groups, fostering community policing initiatives, and investing in socio-economic programs that address poverty and unemployment, which often fuel insecurity,” Ayebe said further.
He also said the government should address the root causes of insecurity, such as ethnic tensions, land disputes, and resource allocation inequities, which he said would go a long way in ensuring sustainable peace and security.
“Furthermore, both levels of the government should prioritise dialogue and mediation with local stakeholders, including traditional rulers and community leaders, to ensure that peace efforts are inclusive and contextually relevant.”
DHQ’s disclosures, assurances
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters has revealed that the recent spike in terrorism activities across the North-east and North-west regions of the country has been due to an influx of foreign fighters serving as reinforcements for the terrorists.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Buba Edward, said the resurgence of fighters from the Sahelian region working in collaboration with local accomplices “is responsible for renewed attacks.”
He said, “The resurgence in terror attacks can be attributable to the influx of foreign fighters who came in as reinforcements for these terrorists.
“These foreign fighters are from the Sahelian region. The other contributing factor is the support from local collaborators who serve as informants, reporting on troops’ movements.”
Despite those challenges, he assured Nigerians of the military’s unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism. He said the military, apart from destroying the will of the insurgents to fight, was also applying international pressure.
“In spite of the situation, troops are profoundly conscious of their role and responsibility in ending insurgency and terrorism in the nation. Though we might record occasional tactical setbacks, our strategic objective remains unhindered and it is to break the terrorist will to fight.
“In essence, defeating an enemy means destroying or breaking his will to fight. And we are achieving this through the cumulative effort of killing their operatives, commanders and senior leadership. We are taking away their most important assets such as their logistics, administrative and fighting capabilities.
“And, of course, we are applying regional and international pressure, as well as engaging the media. These combine to destroy the terrorists’ will to fight.”
Emphasising the long-term nature of the counter terrorism efforts, Buba noted that, “Wars are fought and won all over the world by destroying the enemies’ 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.
“We are not there yet, but inching closer every passing day. On the whole, security is everybody’s business. We must not compromise on security; otherwise, we compromise everyone’s security.”
