Suspected terrorists in the North are relocating following the missile attacks carried out by the United States of America on Thursday night.
Credible community leaders told newsmen that they noticed movements as the terrorists migrated in small numbers after the Christmas Day attacks.
President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the US military carried out deadly strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists in northwestern Nigeria.
Confirming the strike, the Federal Government disclosed that it gave the US support and that the strikes were carried out on targeted areas being used by the terrorists.
However, no casualties were reported in the two areas hit by the missiles.
A missile struck farmland in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area, Sokoto State, and damaged several buildings in Offa, Kwara State.
Tangaza LGA officials in Sokoto State, however, confirmed that more missile strikes were carried out on suspected Lakurawa armed group hideouts in areas of the Sokoto axis.
Although no one was killed, numerous residents were injured, and millions of naira’s worth of property was destroyed.
Daniel Abomtse, Chairman of the Traditional Council in Gwer West LGA, Benue State, has raised concerns over the migration of armed herders into several villages following the US strike.
Speaking with one of our correspondents on Saturday, the traditional ruler stated that he spotted the presence of armed herders in his territory.
He said, “I felt their movement in my local government as well as in Agatu LGA. They have been running away from Sokoto to coastal areas in Gwer West and Agatu with sophisticated arms and grazing openly. They are in my domain.”
While applauding the US strike, Abomtse urged Trump to expand the operations to Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Niger, and Plateau states.
“What President Trump has accomplished is the most beneficial development for the Nigerian government,” he stated. I commend him for dealing with the menace in the country, which began about 16 years ago,” he added.
Attempts to verify Abomtse’s assertions with the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, did not succeed, as her phone went unanswered and texts sent had yet to receive a response at the time this report was completed.
Security officials and locals reported that the Christmas assaults interfered with the activities of bandits and drove them from their hiding places.
Community leaders in Tangaza, Gudu, and some areas of Illela in Sokoto informed Sunday PUNCH that they noticed indications of disruption and relocation among armed factions since the attack.
As per some individuals who wished to remain unnamed, certain bandits were spotted traveling in smaller groups towards secluded forest pathways, while others were thought to have tried to reach adjacent border areas to avoid aerial and ground monitoring.
A community leader in Tangaza stated that the airstrike “conveyed a powerful message” and compelled criminals to leave well-known paths and encampments.
“People are cautious, but there is relief that their hideouts were hit,” he added.
Government representatives in Sokoto State stated that intelligence evaluations are in progress to ascertain the direction and extent of bandit activity following the attack.
A high-ranking official stated that security agencies have been put on alert to stop terrorists from entering safer areas, emphasizing that border patrols and collaborative operations with federal forces are being ramped up to close escape routes.
Security specialist Bashar Umar stated that the state government, along with the military and various security agencies, is enhancing monitoring in critical areas, especially in border local governments, to restrict the movement of terrorists.
A congressman from the United States, Riley Moore, stated that the strikes thwarted “lethal Christmas attacks in Nigeria.”
Moore, who made this statement on Saturday on X, pointed out that Christians in Nigeria were murdered during the past 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.
Chronicle NG gathered that the US had resumed surveillance operations in the Sambisa Forest, Borno State.
Brant Philip, a Sahel-focused terrorist tracker, confirmed this on X on Saturday, giving flight-tracking data indicating that an aircraft was flying over Borno State.
According to the post, the aircraft identified was a Gulfstream V, a long-range business jet that is frequently modified for ISR missions.
“The United States resumed ISR operations today on ISWAP in the Sambisa forest, Borno State, in northeast Nigeria, after a pause of one day following the strikes in Sokoto State,” he wrote.
Kabiru Adamu, a security analyst and CEO of Beacon Consulting, believes fleeing terrorists may attempt to dwell with law-abiding civilians.
Adamu, a Sokoto local, believes the terrorists may potentially seek backing from overseas terror groups and governments sympathetic to their cause.
He urged security forces to improve surveillance capacity to track terrorist movements and prevent infiltration of secure regions.
Adamu said, “There is going to be dislocation after the US strike. The terrorists will leave known locations and most likely try to integrate with law-abiding communities.
“They will also spin a narrative that a Christian country, the United States, is attacking Muslims in Nigeria. They will not say they are terrorists but will use this to gather support or sympathy.
“They will seek support from other terror groups around the world, including membership, tactics, and funding. Nigeria may become a theater of terror conflict as a result.
“Propaganda is another strategy they will adopt after the attacks, especially in cyberspace. They are likely to release fake news and propaganda materials to drive support and attract funding and membership.”
