North-East Insecurity Deepens: Groups Criticize FG’s Response to Boko Haram Threat
By Baba Dan’Iya
A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in Nigeria’s North-East has raised the alarm over what it described as a “dangerous resurgence” of Boko Haram activities in Borno and surrounding states.
In a joint statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Damaturu, the groups expressed concern over renewed attacks by the insurgent group, despite years of military gains and peacebuilding efforts in the region.
The alarm follows a candid warning from Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, who declared that “we are losing ground,” amid rising insecurity and civilian casualties.
The organisations described recent incidents as “deeply troubling,” citing multiple attacks that have rocked communities and claimed lives in the region.
Among the reported incidents was the April 12 bombing of a passenger bus along the Damboa-Maiduguri highway, in which eight people were killed and over 20 injured. This marks the first improvised explosive device (IED) attack in the area in more than a year.
Governor Zulum, who visited victims at the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri, condemned the attack and reiterated the need to bolster security surveillance and patrols along critical routes.
Other reported incidents include the Jan. 24 assault on a military base in Malam-Fatori, where 22 soldiers, including a commanding officer, were killed. A coordinated attack on Wajiroko and Wulgo military bases on Mar. 24 also left four personnel dead and damaged military infrastructure.
In Tarmuwa, Yobe State, a mass attack on Sept. 3 led to the deaths of more than 130 civilians. Suicide bombings in Gwoza on June 29 targeted a wedding, hospital, and funeral, resulting in 32 fatalities and dozens of injuries.
On July 28, insurgents attacked the Jakana Police Station, killing a police officer and a civilian, and looting weapons after setting patrol vehicles ablaze.
The coalition attributed the resurgence to several underlying issues. It said the Federal Government had failed to sustain community-based recovery programmes and that military operations remained under-resourced.
The statement also highlighted weaknesses in the reintegration of former insurgents, with some reportedly returning to terrorist activities due to the lack of support and community acceptance.
It further noted that the withdrawal of the Republic of Niger from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) had undermined regional security collaboration, creating gaps that insurgents were exploiting.
In addition, the organisations said many displaced persons were hesitant to return to their communities due to ongoing insecurity, shrinking humanitarian access, and loss of faith in government assurances.
The NGOs urged the Federal Government to deploy additional troops to reclaim and secure areas currently under threat across Borno, Yobe and neighbouring regions.
They called for a shift to proactive military operations that target insurgent enclaves rather than relying solely on responses after attacks have occurred.
The statement recommended a thorough review of the reintegration and monitoring mechanisms for ex-combatants, stressing the need to restore public trust and ensure effective peacebuilding.
It advocated for stronger involvement of local stakeholders in designing community-specific stabilisation programmes.
It also called for renewed diplomatic efforts to revitalise the MNJTF and strengthen cross-border collaboration between Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
The coalition emphasised the need to expand humanitarian access and provide psychosocial support for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and survivors of violence, while urging the government to prioritise the voices of affected communities in shaping policies.
“The warning signs are evident. The time to act is now,” the statement read.
The document was signed by the Humanitarian Network for Northern Nigeria, Northeast Youth Initiative for Development, XPeace Associates, and the Youth Initiative Against Terrorism.
