By Abu Hassan
Maiduguri, Nigeria – The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has issued a stark warning about a resurgence of the Boko Haram jihadist group, claiming they are staging increasingly frequent attacks and seizing control of territory within the north-eastern state. His concerns contradict claims by the Nigerian government that security has improved significantly over the past 18 months.
Borno State has been the epicenter of a brutal 15-year insurgency by Boko Haram, responsible for the displacement of over two million people and the deaths of more than 40,000. While the group’s power was diminished after 2015 when they controlled vast swaths of territory, recent events suggest a worrying trend.
Governor Zulum has called for urgent military assistance for soldiers fighting the insurgency, stating that the state is “losing ground” against the jihadists. He expressed deep concern that the group is now attacking and kidnapping people in many communities almost daily.
Following a period of relative lull, Boko Haram has been increasingly targeting army bases, police stations, and rural communities. In January, a reported ambush by the Boko Haram breakaway faction, Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap), claimed the lives of at least 20 Nigerian soldiers, while another attack resulted in the deaths of 40 farmers.
The situation is further complicated by the withdrawal of troops from neighboring Niger from a regional force tasked with combating the jihadist group.
Security analysts suggest that the redeployment of soldiers to north-western Nigeria to address banditry and kidnappings has weakened the frontline against Boko Haram in Borno and other parts of the north-east.
Expert Hamisu Sani, speaking to the BBC, acknowledged the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram. “No matter how our military weaken them, they can always regroup and will remain a threat,” he stated. “The solution would be to crush the fighters in their entirety – which is possible given the right support to our military.”
The resurgence of Boko Haram raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current security strategies and underscores the urgent need for a renewed and comprehensive approach to combatting the insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria. The international community will be watching closely as the situation unfolds, hoping for a resolution to a conflict that has caused immense suffering for the people of Borno State.
