Reported by Afilawos Magana Sur, investigative Journalist at Sele Media Africa.
Abuja, Nigeria — Nigeria’s protracted battle against insurgency is often viewed through a regional lens, confined in public discourse to the North-East and parts of the Middle Belt. However, security analysts warn that terrorism, by its very nature, does not respect geography, religion, or social class. The evolving capabilities of extremist groups such as Boko Haram underscore a national security challenge that extends far beyond regional boundaries. For over a decade, Nigeria has grappled with attacks linked to Boko Haram and its splinter factions, including the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). These groups have carried out mass abductions, suicide bombings, and coordinated assaults on military formations and civilian populations, particularly in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states. Ransom economy and expanding capabilities one of the major drivers sustaining insurgent operations has been kidnapping-for-ransom. Multiple investigations by international and local media have documented how ransom payments — whether by families, communities, or intermediaries — have strengthened the financial base of extremist groups. Outlets such as BBC News, Reuters, and Al Jazeera have reported extensively on mass abductions in Nigeria, including school kidnappings that generated global attention and significant ransom negotiations. Security experts caution that ransom inflows risk creating a self-sustaining cycle of violence, enabling insurgents to procure more sophisticated weapons and logistics support. While Nigeria’s federal authorities have repeatedly denied paying ransoms directly to terrorist groups, critics argue that systemic weaknesses and inconsistent enforcement of anti-terror financing laws leave room for illicit transactions. The Nigerian government has also emphasized military offensives and regional cooperation under the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) framework to degrade insurgent capabilities. National threat, not regional crisis although insurgent attacks remain concentrated in specific zones, sporadic incidents in the Federal Capital Territory and other southern states have heightened concerns that extremist networks retain the intent and potential to strike outside their traditional strongholds. Security analysts interviewed by international think tanks warn that asymmetric warfare evolves. Insurgent groups often begin with light arms and improvised explosive devices but can scale operations as funding and external linkages expand. The fear that terrorist networks could eventually acquire more advanced weaponry — while not currently evidenced at the scale of ballistic systems — reflects broader anxieties about arms trafficking routes across the Sahel.Nigeria shares porous borders with countries facing their own instability challenges, including Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. The proliferation of small arms and light weapons across the Sahel has been well documented by the United Nations and regional security bodies. This regional dimension reinforces the argument that terrorism in Nigeria is part of a larger transnational security crisis. Religious and social polarization risks Extremist narratives often exploit religious identity, but security experts stress that terrorism in Nigeria has targeted Muslims and Christians alike. Mosques, churches, markets, schools, and security installations have all been attacked at various times. Framing insecurity as a problem affecting only one demographic risks undermining national cohesion and coordinated response efforts. Analysts argue that urban residents in southern Nigeria who perceive insurgency as distant may underestimate the interconnected nature of security threats in an era of rapid mobility and digital radicalization. The path forward counter terrorism specialists advocate a multidimensional strategy: Strengthening intelligence-sharing and border security disrupting terror financing networks enhancing community-based early warning systems addressing socio-economic drivers of radicalization promoting interfaith dialogue and national unityNigeria’s security challenge is not solely military; it is institutional, economic, and ideological. A fragmented national response could prolong instability, while a unified strategy grounded in rule of law and regional cooperation may prove more effective. As Nigeria continues to navigate its complex security landscape, one reality remains clear: terrorism thrives where vigilance weakens and division deepens. National resilience, rather than regional isolation, may be the country’s strongest defense. Sources: BBC News; Reuters; Al Jazeera; United Nations reports on arms proliferation in the Sahel; Nigerian government security briefings.
Afilawos Magana Sur is a journalist from Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, currently based in Bauchi metropolis. He is known for his commitment to accurate, ethical, and responsible journalism, with a focus on reporting issues of public relevance and community development.
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