Nigeria’s struggle with terrorism and violent extremism is rooted in more than a decade of upheaval that began in the North-East and gradually spread across large swathes of the country. What started in the late 2000s as a localised uprising by in Borno State evolved into a full-blown insurgency, later splintering into factions aligned with global terror networks such as the ISIS. Alongside this, banditry, driven by arms proliferation, weak border control and organised crime, took root in the North-West and parts of the North-Central, turning rural communities into theatres of violence, abductions and mass displacement.
Against this historical backdrop, the Federal Government has renewed warnings that many of the fighters behind recent deadly attacks in northern Nigeria are not citizens of the country. The disclosure was made by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, in Abuja.
According to Akume, intelligence reports from security agencies indicate that a significant number of suspects arrested after recent attacks could neither speak English nor Hausa, but communicated fluently in French. He described this as compelling evidence of cross-border infiltration, pointing to Nigeria’s long-standing challenge of porous borders. “Those who are carrying out the killings, most of them are from outside the country,” he said, citing parts of and other North-Central areas as flashpoints of foreign militant activity.
Security experts say this pattern reflects the regionalisation of insecurity in the Sahel, where instability in neighbouring countries has allowed fighters, weapons and illicit networks to move freely across borders. While Boko Haram originated in Nigeria, pressure from sustained military operations has forced many factions to seek refuge in border forests and ungoverned spaces, from where they regroup and launch attacks with the support of foreign fighters.
In response, the Nigerian government has pursued a multi-layered strategy combining military action, intelligence reform, regional diplomacy and international partnerships. Domestically, security forces have expanded operations across the North-East, North-West and North-Central, investing in surveillance, rapid-response units and community-based intelligence. The aim has been not only to neutralise armed groups, but to dismantle their supply chains and disrupt recruitment networks.
Regionally and globally, Nigeria has deepened cooperation with foreign allies, recognising that terrorism in West Africa is a shared threat. Akume confirmed that the country has strengthened its arsenal with modern military equipment, including combat and surveillance drones acquired from , while also benefiting from intelligence-sharing and training partnerships with other allies. These collaborations, officials say, have improved Nigeria’s ability to track movements across difficult terrain and respond more swiftly to emerging threats.
Despite these efforts, the government acknowledges that insecurity remains a complex and evolving challenge. Akume described it as a global problem, noting that even developed nations continue to grapple with terrorism and organised violence. Analysts argue that while military gains are crucial, lasting peace will depend on tighter border management, stronger regional coordination, and sustained investment in governance and development in vulnerable communities.
As Nigeria’s long war against terror enters another critical phase, the central question remains whether the combined force of domestic resolve and international cooperation can finally turn the tide against a menace that has crossed borders, defied easy solutions, and tested the nation’s resilience for more than a decade.
