Endless War Against Terrorism And Banditry in Nigeria

 The war against terrorism and banditry in Nigeria poses extremely intricate and daunting challenges. Such challenges range from the government's complicity in terrorism and banditry, government's nonchalant attitudes to insecurity, Fulani leaders' firm support for terrorism and banditry and persistent call for dialogue and negotiations, with the sole aim of selfishly enriching themselves with princely ransoms from governments. With numerous banditry commanders of Fulani origin and their thousands of followers operating in Nigeria's pristine forests, mountains, and rocks, the security situation truly appears increasingly dire. The Nigerian Government's efforts to address terrorism and banditry have been ongoing, but with little or no outcomes. The permanent presence of Fulani jihadists' infiltrators and bank-rollers of terrorism and banditry in the government circles does not produce expected results.  

One of the major obstacles is the cast and rugged terrains of the North, which provides a conducive environment for terrorists and bandits to hide and operate. These pristine forests, mountains, and rocks offer ample conveniences for these violent groups to launch attacks, kidnap civilians, and extort ransoms from Federal, States, and local communities. Furthermore, the porous borders of the North with neighbouring countries make it difficult to track and apprehend fleeing terrorists and bandits. Here are some forests in Nigeria where terrorists and bandit groups are hiding, grouped by geopolitical zones:

1. North East: 

• Sambisa Forest (Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States): It is a Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) hideout and stronghold.

• Alawa Forest (Borno State): It is inhabited by Boko Haram insurgents and ISWAP members.

• Alagamo Forest (Borno State) It harbours Boko Haram insurgents and ISWAP members. 

• Mandara Mountain (Borno State): It is a Boko Haram and ISWAP hideout.

• Bitta and Izge (Borno State): They are Boko Haram terrorists and ISWAP members hideouts.

• Lake Chad Basin (Borno State): It is occupied by Boko Haram and ISWAP.

• Talala, Ayigun, and Gaidam desert axis (Yobe State): It is occupied by Boko Haram and ISWAP. 

• Timbus Forest (Borno State) Boko Haram and ISWAP are operating from there.

2. North West: 

• Rugu Forest (Zamfara State): It is occupied by bandits and Ansaru jihadists group, and cattle rustlers. Dogo Gide controls this forest as his empire.

• Kamuku Forest (Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Zamfara, and Kebbi States): The Kamuku Forest is second to Sambisa Forest in notoriety. It is occupied by highly notorious bandits, Ansaru jihadists group, and cattle rustlers. One of the most notorious banditry commander, Dogo Gide, operates from here too.

• Kuduru Forest (Kaduna State): It is home  for terrorists and bandits. 

• Kagoro Forest (Kaduna State): It is a hideout for bandits and Fulani jihadists.

• Birnin Kogo Forest (Katsina State): It is occupied by bandits and criminal Fulani herdsmen.  

• Dajin Rugu Forest (Katsina and Zamfara States): It is occupied by bandits and cattle rustlers.

• Kuyambana Forest (Zamfara State): It is controlled by bandits.

• Gundumu Forest (Zamfara State): Bandits are operating from there.

• Butwaye, Ajja, and Sububu Forests (Zamfara State): They are inhabited by daring bandits. 

• Gando Forest (Zamfara State): Bandits operate from there. 

• Gongono Forest (Sokoto State): It is a home for ISWAP and Lakurawa jihadists.

3. North Central:

• Nzorov Forest (Plateau State): It is a bandits and terrorists base.

• Guma Forest (Benue State): It is inhabited by Fulani herdsmen and bandits. 

• Ghagi and Anguhar Forests (Benue State): They are inhabited by bandits and Fulani herdsmen.

• Mbabai Forest (Plateau State): Bandits and Fulani herdsmen are living there. 

• Kudaru Forest (Kaduna State): It is a bandits' base.

• Idasu Forest (Kaduna State): It is a bandits' controlled area.  

• Rijana and Katari Forests (Kaduna State): Bandits and Ansaru jihadists are there.

• Yelwata Forest (Benue State): Bandits and Fulani herdsmen are there. 

4. South West:

• Ewato and Igbanke Forests (Edo State): 

Kidnappers are controlling these froests.

• Ethonomics, Ikpella, Uzebba, and Ekperi Forests (Edo State): Kidnappers are operating from there forests. 

• Aiyegunle, Eshawa, and Imoga Forests (Kogi State): These forests are controlled by terrorists.

• Dagbala and Ojiramito Forests (Kogi State): There are many terrorists there.

• Ovia Forest (Edo State): Kidnappers live in this forest. 

• Ogbemudia Forest (Edo State): This territory is controlled by kidnappers.  

These are not the only forests occupied by terrorists and bandits in Nigeria. Many others are not mentioned here. Some of them are homes to 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 500, 2,000, 3,000 and more terrorists and bandits, excluding the abducted young women living with them for decades. Presently, there are 77 terrorist and bandit groups springing up. To the North, terrorism and banditry are sure means of earning billions of naira and dollars. So, every young boy wants to be trained in order to become a full-fledged terrorist or bandit to become wealthy through violence. There are many young terrorist and bandit groups from the North who are undergoing trainings in the forests, mountains, and rocks to become qualified killers, kidnappers, arsonists, and others. For example, there are 77 young terrorist groups from Zamfara State alone. They are from:

• Maradun Local Government Area,

• Dansadau Local Government Area,

• Zurmi Local Government Area,

• Birnin Magaji Local Government Area,

• Shinkafi Local Government Area, and 

• Tsafe Local Government Area. 

The least among these upcoming banditry commanders has 28 followers. Some of them have 50, 60, 70, 90, 100, 500, 800, 1,000, 2,000 followers, and above. If you multiply these figures by 77 groups, you will discover that a great danger of insecurity is awaiting Nigeria in the nearest future. As terrorist and bandit groups are exponentially growing in Zamfara State, so are they also growing in all parts of the North. It is even spreading to other parts of Nigeria like a harmattan fire. There is so much insecurity in Nigeria today. It has not been like this before. 

Another significant challenge is the dearth of effective governance and economic opportunities in the affected regions. Many communities in the North, and indeed the whole Nigeria, grapple with hunger and privations, poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to basic services, making them vulnerable to recruitment by terrorist and bandit groups. These terrorist and bandit groups often exploit local grievances and promise gargantuan economic benefits, further propagating their ideology and entrenching their weird influences. 

The proliferation of lethal weapons in the region also exacerbates the problem. Terrorists and bandits have access to sophisticated weapons. The government's efforts to counter terrorism have been hampered by inadequate resources, corruption, and flawed intelligence. Despite these challenges, there are steps Nigeria can take to improve its counter-terrorism efforts. First, the government must prioritize addressing the root causes of terrorism and banditry, such as poverty and unemployment. Investing in economic development, education, and infrastructure in affected regions can help to reduce support for extremist and radicalized groups. Two, the military needs to adopt a more nuanced approach, focusing on intelligence-led operations and community engagement. This could involve collaborating with local communities to gather intelligence and build trust, as well as implementing programmes to deradicalize and reintegrate for terrorists and bandits. Three, Nigeria could strengthen regional cooperation to combat terrorism and banditry. Collaboration with neighbuoring countries is indispensable to disrupt weapons supply chains, share intelligence, and coordinate operations.

In conclusion, winning the war against terrorism and banditry in Nigeria will require a sustained multifaceted approach. The Nigerian Government, must as a matter of urgenct policy, demonstrate unfeigned commitment to addressing the underlying issues driving the conflict, while also taking decisive military actions against terrorists and bandits in Nigeria. To the best of my knowledge, Nigeria cannot win this war without the collaboration of international community, particularly the United States and The Russian Federation. 

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