Nation
Resurgence in insecurity raises fresh anxiety in states, military on the defensive

The country is gradually witnessing a spate of renewed attacks by bandits and insurgents in parts of northern Nigeria after weeks of lull. The resurgence has become concerning to government, military and stakeholders, including the ordinary Nigerians, who are victims of the attacks
Business Hallmark’s checks revealed a startling numbers of attacks in the past one week. No less than 77 people were reported killed and 43 kidnapped in different terror attacks on 10 states in the last one week. It was also discovered that many houses were burnt as more than 1,000 residents were displaced.
After a session of quietness on the security since late 2024, the terrorists gave a signal against having a false
hope about their resolve pursue their objective. Observers had warned against getting complacent with the new peace because it was a temporary relief, which comes at the flooding period of the year, as the terrains become difficult for them to hide and move freely in their bikes.
They staged a drone attack at a forward fighting base, at Sabon Gari in Dambo LGA of Borno State on Saturday, which the military authorities claimed recorded six casualties, contrary to media report that over 50 soldiers and civilian JTF members either killed or missing, with the base completely destroyed.
Then, a few days later, over 40 farmers were killed on their way to farms. Again, two officers were killed in another attack by Boko Haram terrorists at the Nganzai Police Division in Borno State.
In Katsina State, 30 people were reported killed in Charanci, Safana, Kurfi, and Kaita Local Government Areas of the state between penultimate Tuesday and Thursday.
According to findings, the victims were ambushed and slaughtered by bandits while returning from a condolence visit in Batsari.
On the same day, the spokesperson for the Kebbi Police Command, Nafiu Abubakar, confirmed that two people were killed when suspected Lakurawa bandits attacked Natsini village in Argungu LGA of Kebbi and rustled an unspecified number of cows.
Two people were also slaughtered the same day in the thick of a gun battle between gunmen and police operatives in the Umuokanne area of Imo State.
On Penultimate Sunday, suspected bandits murdered the Katsina State Acting Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Amadu Surajo, and three others at Mai Rana village in Kusada LGA.
Coordinated attacks in Orsu LGA of Imo State claimed 18 lives two weeks ago , with communities like Umukabia, Eziawa, Ihitte Nasa, Umuhu, Amaoku, and Amaebe having to bear the brunt. Victims sustained varying degrees of injury, some were slaughtered with deep machete, heightening fear and outrage among locals.
Also last week it was reported that unknown gunmen abducted a senior lecturer in the Department of Philosophy, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Professor John Ebeh on Friday.
Last Wednesday, bandits invaded Idu village in Kufana District, Kajuru LGA of Kaduna State, killing two villagers.
In Zamfara State, over 40 people, mostly women and children were kidnapped two Sundays ago in Gana village of Shinkafi LGA.
Similarly, gunmen abducted two Catholic reverend sisters on Ufuma Road in Orumba North LGA of Anambra State on Tuesday while they were returning from a vocational association meeting in Ogboji.
In Jigawa State, no less than 11 people were also killed, and several houses were burnt during an attack by bandits on Gululu village in Jahun and Miga LGAs last Friday, escalating tensions across the state.
The Benue State governor, Hyacinth Alia, disclosed on two Thursdays ago that over 1,000 households were displaced in a series of attacks on communities.
In the midst of these upsurge in violence, Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, raised the alarm that bandits had the invaded Oyo state and other Southwest states, which spurred a flurry of security meetings with agencies to nip the threat in the bud.
Last week the Defence Headquarters ascribed upsurge the of terrorist attacks in North East and North West to the influx of foreign fighters giving reinforcement to local terror groups.
The Director, Defence Media Operation, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the operations of the armed forces last week in Abuja.
He said,“The resurgence in terror attacks can be attributable to the influx of foreign fighters that come in as reinforcement for these terrorists.
“These foreign fighters are from the Sahelian Region. The other contributing factor are the local collaborators that form a support base for these terrorists.
“They serve as informants to the terrorist reporting on troop movement. In spite of the situation, troops are profoundly conscious of their role and responsibility in ending insurgency and terrorism in the nation”.
Buba hinted that troops might witness occasional tactical setbacks but said that “strategic objective to break the terrorists’ will to fight remained unhindered.”
Explanation from the Defence Headquarters notwithstanding, some retired generals have expressed worries over the development, stressing the need to curtail the growling return of insecurity. Amnesty International had pointedly averred that the latest violent escalation signposts a failure of the current security arrangements and calls for new modalities.
Reports said the the military is out-gunned and out-gunned by the terrorists, who possess advanced weapons and come in droves. The use of drones has raised the stakes further more dire, as the attack on the forward base took place from 25 kilometers distance.
In his own reaction, Brig. Gen Aliyu Momoh (retd.) admitted that the armed forces had recorded remarkable progress against the terrorists, citing the peaceful yuletide celebration.
The Country Director of Amnesty International, Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, agreed that the military had made significant progress in degrading Boko Haram, but noted that the resurgence of violence signals desperation.
This, he noted, was due to the increasing military pressure from Nigeria, Chad, and Niger.
He suggested that the attacks are an attempt to divert attention from the growing threat in the North-West from the Lakurawa group.
Sanusi argued that the escalation reveals a failure of the current security measures, as attacks continue despite these efforts.
The AI director condemned the killing of 40 farmers by Boko Haram militants, insisting that the group must be held accountable for its crimes against humanity.
Speaking in an interview on Channel television, Sanusi said, “Our findings show that Boko Haram rounded up the farmers and fishermen, separated the men and shot them at close range.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has expressed deep concern over the recent killing of fishermen and farmers in Borno State, describing the acts as horrific.
In a statement on Wednesday, , the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, extended condolences to the families of the victims and called for accountability.
“I am horrified by the recent mass killing of fishermen and farmers in Borno State’s Kukawa Local Government Area reportedly by members of a non-state armed group.
“On 12 January, at least 40 civilians, all men, were reportedly killed in the Dumba community in Kukawa after allegedly breaching an NSAG ban on farming activities. Several people remain missing, according to humanitarian partners operating in neighbouring Monguno LGA.
In a bid to thwart the use of attack drones against troops, the North-East Operation Hadin Kai has banned the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles in the region.
Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Air Commodore U. Idris, who gave the order in a statement last Wednesday, noted that the drones pose a threat to military operations in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.
He lambasted government agencies and private individuals operating drones in the region without military consent.
The renewed attacks have forced governors of the southwest to a meeting where they strategized on how to stop the bandits and insurgents from coming to the region.
The Ekiti State Government also confirmed that it had enhanced its security networks and fortified the Amotekun Corps to mitigate potential security risks.
The state Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said that Governor Biodun Oyebanji had provided the necessary logistical support to security agencies to safeguard the state.
The Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, stated that his administration was well-prepared for the challenge.
The governor, speaking through his Special Adviser on Media, Ismail Lash, noted that his administration had been conducting clearance operations across the state, particularly along borders with Kwara, Ekiti, Nasarawa, Benue, Ondo, and other states, including the Federal Capital Territory.
Meanwhile, the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, emphasized that his administration would continue to work closely with security agencies to ensure that the rise in bandit attacks did not spill into his state.
The governor, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Peter Ahemba, stated this in Lafia, the state capital, on Thursday.
The Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Sokoto State Governor, Col. Ahmed Usman (retd), last week noted that the state’s Community Guard Corps had been bolstered to work alongside conventional security forces.
“The joint patrol team of the Nigeria Police Force and members of the Sokoto Community Guards recently foiled a banditry attack on a commercial vehicle at Kwanar Mahalba, along the Goronyo-Sabon Birni Road.
“The team rescued seven of the 13 passengers in the vehicle; five ran into the bush, while one was tragically shot dead by the bandits,” he said.
Similarly, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, revealed that the state government had strengthened its call for support from security agents to prevent bandit attacks.
He recalled the swift response to the Lakurawa menace, where the governor contacted the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who promptly ordered the clearance of the bandits from their hideout.
Professor Abioye Abiola, who has extensive knowledge on non-state actors violence told Business Hallmark that “Currently the resurgence of violence, banditry and rebound of Boko Haram, Lakurawa and others only point to the need for the military to rejig their formula.