Escalating Attacks In Borno: A Chilling Reminder That Boko Haram Is Far From Being Defeated -By Yakubu Ndakwe Mmenim

Once again, the sounds of gunfire and explosions have shattered the uneasy calm in parts of Borno State, reminding Nigerians that the Boko Haram insurgency — now over a decade old — is far from over. The recent wave of attacks in Mafa, Dikwa, and other communities across the North-East signals not just a security breach but a resurgence of the very terror the nation had hoped was finally fading. Despite years of military offensives, billions spent on counter-insurgency, and countless official claims of victory, the escalating violence tells a different story: Boko Haram and its offshoots remain a potent threat to peace and stability in Nigeria.

Over the past few weeks, residents of Mafa and Dikwa Local Government Areas have endured renewed assaults from suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters. These coordinated attacks — involving drones, rocket launchers, and hit-and-run raids — demonstrate that the insurgents retain significant operational capability. In some cases, they have overpowered local defences, looting food supplies, setting houses ablaze, and forcing civilians to flee. Survivors describe terrifying scenes of militants storming villages, chanting extremist slogans, and targeting both military and civilian structures.

Security experts say these escalating attacks are clear indicators that the insurgency is evolving, not declining. What makes the recent incidents particularly concerning is the insurgents’ growing sophistication. Reports suggest the use of unmanned aerial surveillance, motorbikes for swift mobility, and coordinated strikes across multiple fronts. This adaptation reflects not just desperation but strategy — a sign that the group remains organized and determined to reassert dominance in the region.

For many Nigerians, these developments are deeply disheartening. In recent years, official statements have repeatedly assured the public that Boko Haram had been “technically defeated” and “decimated.” Yet, the persistence of attacks in Borno, Yobe, and parts of Adamawa contradicts those declarations. While it is true that the insurgents have lost significant territory, their ability to infiltrate, ambush, and terrorize rural communities shows that the ideological and structural roots of the crisis remain intact.

The humanitarian impact is equally alarming. Thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs), who had cautiously begun returning home under government resettlement programmes, now find themselves on the move again. Camps in Maiduguri and nearby towns are swelling with new arrivals seeking shelter. Humanitarian organizations warn that these displacements, if unaddressed, could deepen food insecurity, expose families to disease, and strain already limited relief resources. The renewed attacks also threaten agricultural recovery efforts in rural Borno, as farmers abandon their fields for safety.

Observers believe that the escalation is partly tied to the changing leadership dynamics within the terrorist network. Intelligence reports suggest that splinter factions within Boko Haram and ISWAP have recently been competing for territorial control and recognition among extremist allies. These internal rivalries often manifest in violent campaigns meant to demonstrate power and relevance — a deadly competition with devastating consequences for civilians caught in the crossfire.

Beyond the military dimension, the resurgence of violence raises important questions about Nigeria’s broader counter-terrorism strategy. While the armed forces continue to play a critical role, the battle against Boko Haram cannot be won by guns alone. Experts argue that without addressing the socio-economic conditions that fuel radicalization — poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, and marginalization — the cycle of violence will persist. Moreover, strengthening intelligence gathering, border surveillance, and community policing remains crucial for detecting threats before they erupt into full-blown attacks.

The recent escalation also exposes the fragility of peace in areas once considered relatively safe. Communities that had started rebuilding now live in renewed fear. Schools remain closed, markets operate in panic, and night-time curfews are once again being imposed. Many residents who once hoped to resume normal life now speak of a haunting sense of déjà vu — a return to the dark days of 2014 when Boko Haram’s reign of terror was at its peak.

For the new service chiefs appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, these attacks represent both a challenge and a test of leadership. Nigerians are watching closely to see whether this new military command will bring the innovation, discipline, and strategic coordination needed to reverse the trend. Success will depend on not only eliminating insurgent cells but also rebuilding trust between security forces and local communities — trust that has been eroded by years of fear and neglect.

Ultimately, the escalating attacks in Borno are more than isolated incidents; they are a loud, urgent warning that Boko Haram still breathes. The group may have lost its former strength, but its ideology and operational networks endure. If ignored, these renewed assaults could spread beyond the North-East, threatening national stability and economic progress. Nigeria cannot afford complacency. The war may have changed its shape, but it is far from over. What is required now is not just military strength, but sustained political will, regional cooperation, and genuine investment in peacebuilding and human security.

For the people of Borno, the message is painfully clear — the guns may have quieted at times, but the enemy has never truly gone away. And until the nation confronts this reality with unity, courage, and purpose, peace will remain a promise, not a reality.

Yakubu Ndakwe Mmenim is a 300 Level student from the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri.