Extremist groups operating in Nigeria include Boko Haram, ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province), and Ansaru (Vanguard for the Protection of Muslims in Black Africa), which is linked to Al-Qaeda and initially formed part of Boko Haram. Ansaru is recognised for its kidnappings and assaults, although it is not as influential as ISWAP.

Lakurawa reportedly emerged for the first time in 2018 within the Gongono Forest of Tangaza, Sokoto state. Additionally, armed bandits and kidnappers are notable for conducting mass abductions for ransom, stealing cattle, and attacking villages while often employing ‘terrorist’ methods.

However, for all the groups identified, the situation of their mode of operation is transitioning rapidly from tactical considerations to strategic planning.

One indication of the shift from tactical measures to strategic planning was the recent incident in Kwara State, where over 100 armed jihadists, wearing military uniforms, invaded the nearby Muslim communities of Woro and Nuku in Nigeria’s western region and reportedly murdered around 200 innocent individuals.

Reports showed that the village leader informed law enforcement agencies about the terrorists’ approach long before the assaults occurred. But the law enforcement response took nearly 10 hours to get to the location of the horrific attacks.

It is crucial to emphasise that a brief deployment against terrorists in Nigeria is a poor strategy; it is even more detrimental when citizens provide intelligence to the authorities, only for the authorities to fail in addressing the crisis.

On November 9, 2025, a confrontation between Boko Haram and ISWAP in northeastern Nigeria led to the deaths of more than 200 combatants, with ISWAP reportedly sustaining greater casualties. The violence erupted as Boko Haram sought to regain territory from its fellow terrorist adversaries.

Failing to grasp the complexities of insecurity in Nigeria will mislead any security agency into being overly absorbed by the conflict between these terrorist factions.

The rivalries and realignments among terrorist groups have long been a feature of the insecurity landscape in Nigeria. In fact, in 2021, Boko Haram forces reunited with ISWAP, which is a splinter group from the original insurgent organisation.

A 13-minute footage, released and acquired by local news outlets, depicts the gunmen stacking their hands on top of one another while reciting words of unity to signify their reunion and solidarity. They swore loyalty to one Aba Ibrahim Al-Hashimiyil AlKhuraishi, whom they collectively referred to as ‘Khalifan Muslimai’ or “The leader of all Muslims.”

The Muslim community asserted that terrorism does not represent Islam. Additionally, the video features one insurgent expressing gratitude to the new leader for uniting them.

These occurrences can be seen as the beginning of the transition from tactical operations to strategic planning within these terrorist groups.

Other elements that are bolstering the shift from tactical to strategic planning include the exchange of intelligence, collaboration on financial matters, joint training, sharing information regarding logistics, and efforts to acquire intelligence from both within and outside the Nigerian law enforcement agencies.

Extremist groups operating in Nigeria all utilise kidnapping for ransom tactics and engage in negotiations with authorities without facing the risk of arrest. These terrorists’ groups later shares patterns, methods and outcome of negotiation together.

The Africa Defense Forum (ADF) magazine, reported on August 19, 2025, that a terrorist organisation dominating the Lake Chad area generates approximately $191 million each year in taxes levied on farmers, livestock owners, and fishermen, according to a recent report from an independent nonprofit news agency.

Joint training efforts are now coordinated among the terrorist groups, who are attempting to incorporate modern technology and drone warfare. Various terrorist groups are now progressing toward collaborative logistics efforts to sustain their malicious activities.

The collaborative logistics efforts align, since they operate within the same industry – utilising comparable routes and sharing geographic areas.

Given the operations of the terror groups, it is crucial for the Nigerian government to genuinely investigate potential insider threats.

According to a report by Reuters, charges were brought against former Nigerian Attorney General Abubakar Malami and his son Abdulaziz by state police for five counts related to terrorism and firearms offenses, following their earlier money laundering charges by the financial crimes watchdog.

These charges are insufficient, as the Nigerian government frequently claims awareness of the politicians who fund terrorism in the nation.

The degree of corruption in the acquisition of weapons and ammunition for Nigeria’s war on terrorism may be a clear sign that traitor threats against the country’s war on terrorism would continue to exacerbate insecurity for individual benefit. The government must take effective action to reduce corruption in this sector.

The Nigerian government should focus on the root causes of insurgencies in Nigeria, such as good economic policies, employment opportunities, improved infrastructure, good health systems, a good education system that discourages children from dropping out of school, massive youth empowerment, outstanding poverty alleviation programmes, an inclusive government that represents trust, and strengthening the Nigerian institutions that truly fights against corruption, and symbolises justice for all.

The advancement of all these terrorist organisations from the tactical to strategic level will define Nigeria as a failed state. And it is instructive to say that Nigerians are not willing to remain under the control of terrorist groups in the country.

Abiodun Ramon Oseni, a Fellow at the Institute of Security Nigeria, a former U.S. police officer, and U.S. Army veteran, who specialises in international security at Harvard University, and American Military University, wrote via [email protected]