Suspected terrorists operating in parts of Northern Nigeria are reportedly relocating following a military airstrike carried out by the United States of America on Thursday night. The development has raised fresh security concerns across several states, as armed groups are believed to be abandoning their usual hideouts and seeking new routes to evade surveillance.
Community leaders in Sokoto State disclosed that they observed unusual movements among armed groups shortly after the Christmas Day attacks and the subsequent airstrike. According to the leaders, suspected bandits began migrating in small numbers from their known locations, triggering fear and heightened alertness among residents.
Residents and local leaders in Tangaza, Gudu, and parts of Illela Local Government Areas of Sokoto State said there have been clear signs of displacement and movement among armed groups since the strike. Some of the leaders, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, revealed that bandits were seen moving in small groups toward remote forest corridors, while others were believed to be attempting to cross into neighbouring border communities to evade both aerial and ground surveillance.
A community leader in Tangaza described the airstrike as a major deterrent to criminal activities in the area. He said the operation sent a strong warning to armed groups and forced them to abandon familiar routes, camps, and hideouts that had previously provided cover.
“People are cautious, but there is relief that their hideouts were hit,” the leader said, adding that residents remain vigilant amid fears of possible reprisals.
Meanwhile, concerns have also been raised in Benue State over the possible spillover of armed groups fleeing from Sokoto and neighbouring areas. The Chairman of the Traditional Council in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State, Daniel Abomtse, reported an influx of armed herders into some communities.
Abomtse stated that he noticed suspicious movements within Gwer West as well as Agatu Local Government Area. According to him, the armed individuals were fleeing from Sokoto toward coastal areas in Gwer West and Agatu, carrying sophisticated weapons and openly grazing cattle, a situation that has heightened tension among residents.
“They have been running away from Sokoto to the coastal areas in Gwer West and Agatu with sophisticated arms and grazing openly. They are in my domain,” he said.
While commending the United States for the airstrike, Abomtse called on former United States President Donald Trump to extend similar operations to other states affected by insecurity, including Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Niger, and Plateau states. He described the strike as one of the most significant interventions in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity, which he said began over 16 years ago.
“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,” he added.
Efforts by the media to confirm Abomtse’s claims from the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, officials of the Sokoto State Government said intelligence assessments were ongoing to determine the direction, scale, and possible implications of the movement of bandits following the airstrike. Security agencies have also been placed on alert to prevent the spread of armed groups into other vulnerable communities.
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