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Concerns are mounting in northeastern Nigeria as Borno State’s governor issued a warning about a resurgence of the Boko Haram jihadist group. This alarm follows a series of attacks orchestrated by Boko Haram militants, who have reportedly seized control of territories within the state. The governor is urgently requesting increased military assistance to support soldiers combatting the ongoing insurgency.
Borno Governor Appeals for Military Reinforcements Amid Boko Haram Comeback
Governor Babagana Zulum has implored national authorities to provide additional military resources for troops engaged in the fight against the escalating insurgency in Borno state. He emphasized the urgent need for reinforcements to counter the group’s recent advancements.
Conversely, the Nigerian government has minimized the governor’s apprehensions, asserting that the overall security situation across the nation has witnessed improvement over the past year and a half. Government officials maintain that Boko Haram is not gaining ground.
Fifteen Years of Insurgency in Borno State
Borno state remains the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency, a conflict that has persisted for 15 years. This protracted violence has forcibly displaced over two million residents and resulted in the deaths of more than 40,000 individuals.
In 2015, at the peak of their operations, Boko Haram held dominion over vast swathes of Borno state before military offensives pushed them back. Despite these setbacks, recent events suggest a change in the security landscape.
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Escalating Attacks and Shifting Boko Haram Tactics
Boko Haram, notorious internationally since the 2014 Chibok schoolgirl abduction where over 270 girls were seized, appears to be intensifying its operations. After a period of reduced activity, the militants have resumed targeting military installations, police compounds, and vulnerable rural communities.
Recent Attacks Highlight Renewed Threat
In January, a reported ambush by Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap), a Boko Haram offshoot, resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Nigerian soldiers. Concurrently, another assault in the same period led to the killing of 40 farmers, demonstrating the broadening scope of Boko Haram’s violence.
Governor Zulum expressed dismay at the increasing frequency of attacks, stating that Boko Haram fighters are now routinely attacking and abducting citizens in numerous communities on an almost daily basis. He voiced his concerns during meetings with national security personnel.
“Losing Ground” Against Jihadists
During discussions with security officials, Governor Zulum conveyed his assessment that Borno State is “losing ground” in the ongoing struggle against the jihadist militants, underscoring the severity of the situation on the ground.
Security Analyst Perspectives on Boko Haram Resurgence
Security analysts posit that the deployment of soldiers to northwestern Nigeria to address banditry and kidnapping incidents has inadvertently decreased the number of troops stationed on the front lines against Boko Haram in Borno and other northeastern regions. This shift in military focus may have created an opportunity for Boko Haram to regroup and intensify their activities.
Adding to the complexities, the withdrawal of Niger’s troops from a multinational joint task force established to combat Boko Haram has further complicated efforts to effectively counter the jihadist group in the region.
Challenges in Defeating Boko Haram
Security analyst Hamisu Sani, in comments to the BBC, suggested that while defeating Boko Haram presents significant challenges, it is not an insurmountable task. He noted the group’s resilience and capacity to reorganize even when weakened.
“Irrespective of the extent to which our military weakens them, they possess the ability to regroup and will continue to pose a persistent threat,” Sani stated. He emphasized the necessity of decisively dismantling the entirety of the fighter network to achieve a lasting resolution, asserting that this objective is attainable with adequate support for the Nigerian military.
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