Following a brief period of reduced terror activity in Nigeria, this week witnessed a sharp resurgence in violent attacks, raising concerns about a potential renewed offensive by terrorist groups.
Saturday PUNCH reports that investigations revealed that at least 77 individuals were killed and 43 others abducted across 10 states within the past week. Over 1,000 residents were displaced, with many homes burned in the wave of attacks.
Bandits
Breakdown of Attacks
Katsina State:
Thirty people were killed between Tuesday and Thursday in Charanci, Safana, Kurfi, and Kaita LGAs. Victims were ambushed by bandits while returning from a condolence visit in Batsari.
Borno State:
On Saturday, eight soldiers were killed when terrorists attacked a military base in Sabon Gari, Dambo LGA. The assailants used drones to surveil and bomb the base, reflecting meticulous planning. Military reinforcements eventually repelled the attackers, but not before significant casualties and damage.
Imo State:
Eighteen people were killed in coordinated attacks in Orsu LGA on Sunday, targeting multiple communities and leaving victims with severe machete wounds.
Zamfara State:
On Sunday, over 40 people, primarily women and children, were kidnapped in Gana village, Shinkafi LGA.
Anambra State:
Two Catholic reverend sisters were abducted on Tuesday while traveling on Ufuma Road in Orumba North LGA.
Other Incidents:
Attacks in Kaduna, Jigawa, Kebbi, and other states left additional casualties, displaced households, and heightened tensions.
State governments across the country have ramped up security measures. Governors in Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, and Nasarawa states announced reinforcements to local security networks and collaborations with federal agencies. Notably, the Amotekun Corps in the South-West received additional resources and personnel to combat the reported influx of bandits fleeing military operations in the North.
Experts highlighted the increasing sophistication of terrorist tactics, including the use of drones and coordinated assaults. Kabir Adamu, a security specialist, warned of the technical challenges posed by such strategies and stressed the need for advanced aerial surveillance and counter-drone technologies.
Additionally, concerns were raised about systemic failures in Nigeria’s security apparatus, with calls for urgent reforms, increased transparency, and efforts to disrupt the financial networks sustaining terrorist groups.
The Department of State Services (DSS) recently arrested 10 suspected members of ISWAP in Ilesa, Osun State. The suspects, allegedly linked to Boko Haram/ISWAP activities, were undergoing training to manufacture explosives. A Federal High Court in Abuja granted the DSS permission to detain them for 60 days while investigations continue.
The resurgence of terror activities poses significant security challenges across Nigeria, prompting state and federal authorities to intensify efforts to restore safety. However, the increasing use of advanced tactics by insurgents underscores the need for more proactive strategies and technological upgrades in combating terrorism.
