A jihadist group linked to al-Qaeda, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), has announced its first attack on Nigerian soil. The group claimed it ambushed Nigerian soldiers in Kwara State in the early hours of Wednesday, resulting in the death of one military officer. In a video released on its Telegram channel, the militants also stated they seized ammunition and money from the soldiers. A military source who spoke with Reuters confirmed the incident, though the Nigerian Army has not yet issued an official statement.
JNIM has been active across the Sahel region since its formation in 2017, carrying out attacks in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and more recently pushing into Ivory Coast, Ghana, Benin, and Togo. The group has carried out several deadly missions in the region, including a massive attack earlier this year that killed around 200 soldiers in Burkina Faso’s Djibo area. Their expansion into Nigeria marks a worrying development in West Africa’s growing security crisis.
This development adds pressure to President Bola Tinubu’s government, which is already battling long-standing insurgencies from Boko Haram and ISWAP in the northeast. These conflicts have claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions over the years. Tinubu recently reshuffled the military leadership to strengthen national defense and warned against ignoring emerging threats. He emphasized the need for proactive action, saying new dangers must be tackled before they grow stronger.
Nigeria’s new Chief of Army Staff, Major General Waidi Shaibu, has also vowed to take a firm stance against rising terror threats. Speaking during his Senate screening, Shaibu highlighted his counter-terrorism experience in Borno State and stated he would adopt a strategic and community-focused approach to security. He promised to strengthen intelligence, improve troop morale, and build on past successes in the fight against extremism.
As security challenges evolve across West Africa, Nigeria faces increasing pressure to boost surveillance, strengthen its borders, and improve cooperation with neighboring countries. Counter-terrorism experts say JNIM’s claimed entry into Nigeria signals a dangerous expansion that requires swift and coordinated response. The coming months will be crucial in determining how Nigeria adapts its security framework to confront this growing threat.
