The Nigerian military has been working hard to stop Boko Haram in the northeast. But recent reports show the group is attacking again, causing worry that they are still a serious threat even after many years of fighting.
In the past few weeks, Boko Haram has launched several attacks in parts of Borno State. Places like Marte, Rann, and Gajiram have seen violence that has scared local people and shown that the group is still dangerous.
These attacks included surprise ambushes on military convoys, raids on villages, and quick hit-and-run strikes that catch people off guard.
All this is happening while the Nigerian Army keeps attacking Boko Haram’s stronghold in Sambisa Forest. This forest has long been known as the main hideout where Boko Haram plans and carries out attacks.
For example, in Marte, near Lake Chad, Boko Haram attacked a military convoy earlier this month. The attack caused many injuries and damaged military vehicles.
At the same time, Boko Haram raided Rann, looting homes and forcing many residents to flee. Because Rann is close to the Cameroon border and has seen displacement before, it was an easy target.
In Gajiram, Boko Haram also attacked military bases, leading to a long gun battle. Locals heard many explosions, which made people even more afraid.
These attacks show that Boko Haram is still able to regroup inside Sambisa Forest and launch well-planned strikes, even though the military is working hard to stop them.
In response, the Nigerian military has stepped up its efforts, sending more troops and carrying out airstrikes on Boko Haram camps in the forest. The goal is to get rid of the remaining fighters and stop them from coming back to towns that have been freed.
However, some military experts are worried that this approach may not work for a long time.
Retired Army officer Captain Abdullahi Adamu Bakoji said the military is brave but their current strategy—killing some Boko Haram fighters and then going back to base—gives the survivors a chance to come back.
He explained that Boko Haram fighters have learned to hide in dugouts to avoid being hit by airstrikes.
Captain Bakoji called for the military to get better weapons and improved intelligence tools to fight more effectively.
He also stressed the need for the military to maintain a permanent presence in Sambisa Forest and other vulnerable areas.
He urged the government to build many military bases in the region to stop Boko Haram from hiding there again.
“After winning, the government must create as many military bases as possible to stop Boko Haram and similar groups from returning to the forest,” he said.
Security experts agree that while the military has made important progress by freeing towns and rescuing captives, Boko Haram is hard to completely defeat because they take advantage of ungoverned areas and keep changing their tactics.
