Checking Terrorism Spread In The South

The intensified Nigerian Military campaigns against terrorists and bandits in the North have started to produce promising results, signalling a cogent turning point in the nation’s battle against insecurity. For years, these despicable elements have inflicted intolerable levels of hardships on innocent civilians, disrupting lives, livelihoods, and communities with unrestrained violence.
However, the military incursion, characterised by strategic raids, airstrikes, and well-coordinated operations, has considerably constrained their activities, leaving them on the defensive. The once-emboldened insurgents and bandits, who operated with impunity and plunged the North into chaos, are now feeling the heat gravely and are unable to prolong their reign of terror.
The aggressive push by the military is a welcome development, as it restores hope to the millions of Nigerians who have long yearned for peace and stability in the region. The exacerbating strikes disrupt not just the movement and operations of the criminals but also their supply chains, logistics, and communication networks, weakening their ability to regroup and reorganise.
The triumphs are a proof of the resolve of the Nigerian government and the armed forces to address insecurity directly, boosting the confidence of citizens in their efforts. However, maintaining this momentum is critical. Continued investment in intelligence, technology, and collaboration with local communities will not only solidify the progress made but also guarantee the ultimate eradication of these felons.
Nonetheless, the growing influx of battle-weary outlaws into the South-West region is becoming a cause for concern, as it raises questions about the security and stability of the area. This move by the culprits to establish a base for their illegal activities is seen as a calculated strategy, highlighting the changing tactics of terror groups and banditry networks.
Reports of security operatives apprehending suspected members of these groups during training sessions in Osun State indicate the seriousness of the situation. Such incidents not only suggest a possible increase in violence but also highlight the growing vulnerabilities within the South-West, a region that was once considered relatively shielded from the insecurity affecting other parts of the country.
The arrests in Osun State are just one example of the broader threat facing the area. With terror groups reportedly regrouping in large numbers, the implications for governance, economic development, and societal peace are profound. The porous nature of security infrastructure, the vast terrain, and the availability of soft targets make the region an enticing option for these outlaws to establish a base.
If left unchecked, the attempts of these felons to infiltrate the South-West could potentially lead to a spillover of terror and devastation experienced elsewhere. Therefore, it is vital to bolster intelligence-gathering mechanisms, enhance community-based surveillance, and ensure the rapid deployment of security forces to thwart the machinations of these bad actors before their activities escalate into a full-blown crisis. Proactive measures are needed now more than ever to protect the region from descending into a state of chaos.
Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has lately increased its efforts to ensure national security by conducting strategic operations in parts of Ijesaland, leading to the arrest of numerous individuals allegedly involved in terrorist activities. Acting on credible intelligence, the DSS carried out preemptive raids across several locations within the state, targeting individuals whose presence and actions posed potential threats to safety.
Among those apprehended were illegal immigrants who failed to present valid residential permits or provide satisfactory explanations for their presence and mission in both the state and the country at large. The operation calls attention to the agency’s commitment to safeguarding national integrity and underscores the extensive issue of porous borders, which have facilitated the convergence of undocumented aliens.
Given these developments, all the governors in the South should act in unison and strategise against the security threats posed by the terrorists to avoid being caught off guard. The South-South and South-East geopolitical zones should establish regional security outfits like their South-West counterpart. This requires cooperation with all other relevant stakeholders, such as socio-cultural groups and non-governmental organisations, that are willing to help in warding off criminals from the Southern part of the country.
On April 11, 2021, South-East governors announced the formation of a new regional security group called ‘Ebube Agu’ after a meeting at the Imo State Government House. This decision came in response to violent attacks on police and correctional facilities. Unfortunately, the initiative was not followed through and has since faded away. The lack of response from the South-South region is depressing. It is important that governors prioritise the security of their respective zones.
As the military ramps up its campaign against terrorists and bandits in the North, the temptation for survivors to flee to relatively peaceful locations, particularly in the South, is real. However, it is the duty of leadership to clearly communicate that they will not find refuge in the forests of states within the three geo-political zones in the South.
We hope that the apprehension of suspected trainee terrorists in Osun State will serve as a stark warning of the dangers that lie ahead. It underlines the need for all Southern states to strengthen their vigilance and preparedness. If rogue elements fleeing from the North wrongly assume that they can regroup and find solace in the South, their plans must be met with strategic defence mechanisms and a united regional response.