Fresh intelligence and community reports indicate that suspected terrorist and bandit groups operating in parts of northern Nigeria have begun relocating following recent United States missile strikes carried out with the support of the Nigerian government.
Community leaders and security sources told Sunday PUNCH that unusual movements were observed shortly after the strikes, which took place on Thursday night, coinciding with the Christmas period. According to them, armed groups have been dispersing in smaller units and abandoning known hideouts to evade further attacks.
US–Nigeria Joint Action
Former US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had conducted precision strikes against Islamic State-linked terrorists in northwestern Nigeria. The Federal Government later confirmed that Nigeria supported the operation and that the strikes targeted locations being used by terrorist elements.
Officials stated that no fatalities were recorded at the strike sites. In Sokoto State, a missile reportedly landed on farmland in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area, while in Offa, Kwara State, some buildings were damaged. Although no deaths were reported, several residents sustained injuries, and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed, particularly in Offa.
Local government officials in Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State also disclosed that additional strikes hit suspected hideouts of the Lakurawa armed group within the Sokoto axis.
Movement Toward Other States
In Benue State, the Chairman of the Gwer West Traditional Council, Daniel Abomtse, raised concerns about an influx of armed herders into communities within Gwer West and neighbouring Agatu LGA. He said the movement appeared to have intensified after the US strikes.
“They are moving from Sokoto towards coastal areas with sophisticated weapons and grazing openly. I have noticed their presence in my domain,” Abomtse said.
While praising the US intervention, the traditional ruler called for similar actions in other states affected by insecurity, including Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Niger and Plateau. Attempts to get official confirmation from the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Bandit Camps Disrupted in Sokoto
Residents and community leaders in Tangaza, Gudu and parts of Illela LGAs in Sokoto State reported that the strikes disrupted bandit activities and forced many fighters to abandon established camps.
According to local sources, some armed groups were seen heading towards remote forest routes, while others were believed to be attempting to cross into nearby border communities. A community leader in Tangaza said the strikes had created fear and uncertainty among the criminals.
Government officials in Sokoto State confirmed that intelligence assessments were ongoing, adding that security agencies had been placed on high alert to prevent infiltration into relatively peaceful areas. Border patrols and joint security operations have reportedly been intensified.
A security expert, Bashar Umar, said surveillance was being strengthened across flashpoints, especially in border local governments, to track fleeing groups.
Expanded US Surveillance
Meanwhile, a US congressman, Riley Moore, said the strikes helped avert possible Christmas attacks in Nigeria. Posting on X, he described the operation as a coordinated effort with the Nigerian government to weaken terrorist networks.
In a related development, terrorism analysts disclosed that the US had resumed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations over the Sambisa Forest in Borno State. A Sahel-focused tracker, Brant Philip, shared flight-tracking data suggesting that a Gulfstream V aircraft—often modified for surveillance missions—was operating over the area.
Experts Warn of New Tactics
Security analysts cautioned that while the strikes have disrupted terrorist operations, they may also trigger new strategies. Kabiru Adamu, CEO of Beacon Consulting, warned that fleeing fighters could attempt to blend into civilian populations or seek support from international terror networks.
“There will be dislocation. They may integrate into communities, push propaganda narratives, and seek external support in funding and manpower,” Adamu said, urging enhanced surveillance and intelligence coordination.
Similarly, Professor Tar Usman of the Nigerian Defence Academy said the strikes would create fear and confusion among terrorists, limiting their ability to plan attacks in the short term. However, he warned that the intervention alone would not end terrorism, noting that armed groups could adapt and change tactics.
Ongoing Collaboration
A senior government source confirmed that Nigeria and the United States were working closely to curb terrorism, banditry and kidnapping nationwide. The source added that intelligence reports suggested some fleeing elements were heading toward Kogi and nearby states, with security measures already being deployed to track and neutralise them.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies as operations continue across affected regions.
Source: Africa Publicity
