Terrorism: Why military faces tough challenges in North

Military forces battling terrorists in Northern Nigeria encounter formidable challenges that complicate rescue operations, despite increased deployments. Security experts, retired commanders, and intelligence officers cite vast ungoverned territories and difficult terrain as primary obstacles.

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Years of conflict, coupled with cultural and traditional ties, religious sentiments and other local realities, have complicated the security environment.

Compounding these issues is a severe lack of reliable intelligence from local communities. In some instances, locals actively collaborate with terrorists, serving as informants and providing food, which directly undermines security efforts. This divided loyalty and fear within communities create a complex security environment, making it difficult for the military to operate effectively.

Retired Colonel, speaking anonymously, explained that years of conflict, intertwined with cultural ties, religious sentiments, and local realities, have shaped community responses to insurgent activities. In certain areas, security agencies contend not only with fear but also with divided loyalties, and sometimes, undesirable criminal elements infiltrate local vigilante structures.

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In some cases, these factors influence how communities respond to insurgent activities and even how politicians react to them.

Experts unanimously agree that while security forces have achieved successes, combating kidnapping requires a multifaceted approach. This strategy must integrate robust military action with enhanced intelligence gathering, advanced technological surveillance, targeted economic interventions, and strengthened community engagement. The deployment of modern surveillance equipment, such as drones and electronic monitoring systems, alongside improved infrastructure in remote areas, is also crucial.

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In some insurgency-affected areas of the North, there are instances where security agencies contend with fear, divided loyalties and, in some cases, undesirable criminal elements are found within local vigilante structures.

Unless the underlying factors enabling criminal gangs are decisively addressed, rescue operations will continue to face significant obstacles. The experts warn that defeating kidnapping and restoring public confidence necessitates sustained collaboration among security agencies, traditional institutions, local communities, and all levels of government. This battle is deemed a national security imperative demanding urgent and coordinated action.

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The experts warned that unless the underlying factors enabling criminal gangs to operate are decisively addressed, rescue operations will continue to face significant obstacles, leaving thousands of families across Northern Nigeria trapped in uncertainty and fear.