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Nigeria’s counter-terrorism war has entered a dangerous new phase as security forces confirm that Boko Haram and Islamic State fighters are fleeing their hideouts and dispersing across multiple regions following recent United States airstrikes.
Senior military sources say intelligence units are actively tracking the movements of the fleeing militants, raising fears that the terrorists may regroup, cross borders, or melt into rural communities.
The development follows Christmas Day air operations announced by former US President Donald Trump, which targeted extremist enclaves linked to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province.
Terror Groups Scatter After Bombardment
According to multiple security officials, the strikes triggered panic within terrorist camps, forcing fighters to abandon known hideouts and split into smaller units.
Intelligence reports indicate suspicious movements toward forest corridors, border communities, and remote rural areas, particularly in parts of Sokoto, Benue, and surrounding regions.
Military insiders say surveillance assets are already monitoring these escape routes to prevent the militants from regrouping or launching retaliatory attacks.
Communities Raise Alarm Over Armed Influx
Traditional leaders and community figures in affected areas have raised serious concerns over unusual movements by armed men believed to be fleeing insurgents.
Some local sources say armed groups are deliberately avoiding major roads and towns, choosing forests and isolated settlements to evade detection.
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The situation has heightened anxiety among residents who fear their communities could become unintended battlegrounds.
Military: “We Know They Are Fleeing”
Senior defence officials insist the Nigerian military is not caught off guard.
They confirm that Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations are ongoing, with ground and aerial assets tracking suspected escape paths.
Officials say the goal is to prevent the terrorists from re-establishing cells or exploiting gaps created by the disruption of their command structures.
US Troops in Nigeria? Retired Generals Split
The strikes have reignited a heated national debate over whether Nigeria should allow foreign troops on its soil.
Some retired senior officers strongly oppose the idea, warning that foreign boots on Nigerian ground could inflame ethnic and religious tensions, weaken sovereignty, and boost extremist propaganda.
Others argue that deeper collaboration with the United States is inevitable and necessary, particularly in areas of air power, precision strikes, and advanced surveillance.
“Foreign Help, Not Foreign Control”
Security analysts say Nigeria’s dilemma is not a lack of manpower but gaps in technology, intelligence fusion, and precision capability.
They warn that while foreign support can be valuable, ground operations must remain under Nigerian control to preserve legitimacy and long-term stability.
Who Should Speak to Nigerians?
The controversy has also exposed discomfort over communication gaps, with critics questioning why major announcements about strikes on Nigerian soil often come first from Washington rather than Abuja.
Analysts argue that Nigerians deserve direct, transparent briefings from their own authorities, especially when foreign military action is involved.
A New Security Flashpoint
What began as a targeted counter-terror strike is now evolving into a high-stakes test of Nigeria’s security coordination, sovereignty, and crisis communication.
As terrorists flee and security forces tighten surveillance, the question facing the nation is stark: has the war entered its most unpredictable phase yet?
