Terrorists relocate after US air strikes
There are signs that suspected terrorists in the North are moving to new locations following the missile strikes executed by the United States on Thursday night.
Reliable community leaders reported observing movements as the criminals relocated in small groups after the Christmas Day attacks.
President Donald Trump declared on Thursday that the US military conducted lethal strikes against Islamic State terrorists in northwestern Nigeria.
The Federal Government confirmed the strike, stating that it provided support to the US and that the strikes targeted specific areas utilized by the terrorists.
Nevertheless, no casualties were reported in the two sites hit by the missiles.
In Jabo, located in the Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, a missile struck agricultural land, while some structures were damaged in Offa, Kwara State.
Officials from Tangaza LGA in Sokoto State, however, indicated that further missile strikes were executed on suspected hideouts of the Lakurawa armed group in various parts of the Sokoto region.
Although there were no fatalities, numerous residents suffered injuries, and properties valued at millions of naira were destroyed. In Offa, properties worth millions of naira were also damaged.
Increase of bandits in Benue
The Chairman of the Traditional Council in Gwer West LGA of Benue State, Daniel Abomtse, expressed concern regarding the influx of armed herders into certain communities following the US strike.
In a conversation with one of our correspondents on Saturday, the traditional leader mentioned that he observed the presence of armed herders in his area.
He stated, “I sensed their movement in my local government as well as in Agatu LGA. They have been fleeing from Sokoto to coastal regions in Gwer West and Agatu, carrying advanced weapons and grazing openly. They are present in my area.”
While he appreciated the US strike, Abomtse urged Trump to extend military operations to Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Niger, and Plateau states.
“What President Trump has done is the best thing to have happened to the government of Nigeria. I commend him for dealing with the menace in the country, which began about 16 years ago,” he added.
Attempts to obtain confirmation regarding Abomtse’s assertions from the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful, as her phone went unanswered and messages sent remained unreplied at the time of this report's filing.
Sokoto terrorists in disarray
Security sources and local residents indicated that the Christmas attacks had disrupted bandit operations and compelled them to vacate their hideouts.
Community leaders in Tangaza, Gudu, and certain areas of Illela in Sokoto reported observable signs of dislocation and movement among armed groups following the strike.
Some of these leaders, who requested anonymity, mentioned that certain bandits were observed moving in smaller groups towards secluded forest corridors, while others were thought to have attempted crossing into neighboring border communities to escape aerial and ground surveillance.
A community leader from Tangaza remarked that the airstrike “sent a strong signal” and compelled criminal elements to abandon familiar routes and camps.
“People are cautious, but there is relief that their hideouts were struck,” he added.
Government officials in Sokoto State indicated that intelligence assessments were ongoing to ascertain the direction and extent of bandit movement post-strike.
A senior official stated that security agencies had been put on high alert to prevent terrorists from infiltrating safer communities, emphasizing that border patrols and collaborative operations with federal forces were being intensified to obstruct escape routes.
Security expert Bashar Umar noted that the state government, in partnership with the military and other security agencies, was enhancing surveillance across critical areas, particularly in border local governments, to mitigate terrorist movement.
US scans Sambisa Forest
A United States congressman, Riley Moore, remarked that the strikes averted “deadly Christmas attacks in Nigeria.”
Moore, who made this statement on Saturday via X, highlighted that Christians in Nigeria had been killed during the previous two Christmas seasons.
“This year, thanks to @POTUS, radical Islamic terrorists were on the receiving end of 12 Tomahawk missiles as a present.
“The successful strikes on ISIS, in coordination with the Nigerian government, are just the first step to secure the country and end the slaughter of our brothers and sisters in Christ,” Moore added.
The United States has recommenced surveillance operations in the Sambisa Forest, located in Borno State.
Brant Philip, a terrorism tracker focused on the Sahel region, revealed this information on X on Saturday, providing flight-tracking data that showed an aircraft operating over Borno State.
The aircraft in question was identified as a Gulfstream V, a long-range business jet that is frequently modified for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
He stated, "The United States has resumed ISR operations today targeting ISWAP in the Sambisa Forest, Borno State in North-East Nigeria, following a one-day pause after the strikes in Sokoto State."
Experts warn that dislocated terrorists may seek international assistance.
Kabiru Adamu, a security analyst and Chief Executive Officer of Beacon Consulting, indicated that fleeing terrorists might attempt to blend in with law-abiding citizens.
Adamu, who is originally from Sokoto, mentioned that these terrorists could also pursue support from international terrorist organizations and governments that are sympathetic to their agenda.
He urged security agencies to bolster their surveillance capabilities to track terrorist movements and avert the infiltration of secure areas.
Adamu remarked, "There will be dislocation following the US strike. The terrorists will vacate known locations and are likely to try to integrate with law-abiding communities.
"They will propagate a narrative that a Christian nation, the United States, is assaulting Muslims in Nigeria. They will not identify themselves as terrorists but will utilize this to garner support or sympathy.
"They will seek assistance from other terrorist groups globally, including in terms of membership, tactics, and funding. Consequently, Nigeria may become a battleground for terror conflict.
"Propaganda will be another tactic they employ post-attacks, particularly in cyberspace. They are expected to disseminate false information and propaganda materials to garner support and attract funding and membership.
Also, a Professor of Political Science and Defence Studies at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Tar Usman, said the US military onslaught would distract the terrorists from planning and executing attacks as they grapple with the reality that a powerful global nation had joined forces with Nigeria.
According to him, the uncertainty surrounding possible future strikes will heighten fear among the terrorists and disrupt their operations.
“We do not know when next they (US) will strike, so there will be panic in the camp of the terrorists, and that is a good one for us because it will distract them from carrying out their notorious activities,” he added.
He explained that insurgent groups often take advantage of periods of calm to plan attacks, but noted that the current situation could deny them that opportunity.
Usman, however, cautioned that the intervention would not automatically bring an end to terrorism, warning that the groups could adopt new tactics.
He said, “I can also see a situation where they will try to disappear and mix with the public, but with vigilance, I hope our intelligence agencies would intercept them.
“We should not be under any illusion that they will abandon their notorious activities instantly. Maybe in the fullness of time, we will see the full impact of the US intervention.”
A senior government official indicated that the United States and Nigeria are working together to eliminate killings, banditry, and kidnapping.
The official revealed that certain terrorists were fleeing to Kogi and adjacent states, noting that strategies are being implemented to eradicate them.
