Boko Haram, ISWAP Establish New Hideouts Near NNPCL Site In Borno State
Boko Haram, ISWAP Establish New Hideouts Near NNPCL Site in Borno State Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents have reportedly established new operational hideouts in the Tuba settlement, close to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) exploration site in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State, security sources said. According to The Guardian Nigeria, credible local residents and farmers in Jere observed approximately 200 motorcycles at what is believed to be a fortified position used by the insurgents in northern Borno. Locals said the presence of the militants has been followed by reported attacks and threats on surrounding communities and key transport routes, including:
- Dusuman
- Ngom
- Jabarman
- Gongulong Lawanti
- Koshebe
- Outskirts of Muna Garage, about 20 kilometres east of Maiduguri, the state capital.
Other potential targets mentioned include Madinatu, the Maiduguri cattle market, and travellers on the popular Maiduguri Monguno and Maiduguri–Mafa roads arteries critical for commerce and mobility in the region.
Reports also indicate that the two groups have been dispatching small rapid‑attack detachments, usually on motorcycles, moving from Ngom community along the Maiduguri‑Dikwa road, then crossing the Maiduguri–Mafa route before reaching Konduga Local Government Area on the southern edge of the Sambisa Forest, a long‑noted insurgent stronghold.
A 65‑year‑old hunter based in the area, Konto Aliyu, expressed grave concern over the new insurgent presence, warning that it threatens both local lives and critical infrastructure. He appealed directly to the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Major‑General Abdulsalam Abubakar, calling for an aggressive military response to dismantle the hideouts and degrade insurgent capabilities. “The establishment of these fortified positions enables greater capability for scheduled and surprise attacks,” Aliyu stated, describing the development as a serious security threat to Army bases and nearby communities. The latest developments coincide with a national debate over the government’s handling of terrorism following claims by Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi that authorities allegedly know the identities and locations of most insurgents operating in the country. In response, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has given the Federal Government a seven‑day ultimatum to arrest and prosecute terrorists, accusing officials of inaction.HURIWA’s ultimatum has added pressure on security agencies to provide clarity and transparency in the government’s counter‑insurgency efforts, particularly amid ongoing violence and displacement in Nigeria’s North‑East region.
