Military Tracks Boko Haram, ISWAP Fighters After US Airstrikes

The Nigerian military is tracking Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants, whom they believe are escaping their camps following recent U.S. airstrikes.

The U.S. President, Donald Trump, announced on Christmas Day that American forces had carried out lethal strikes against Islamic State targets in the northwestern region of Nigeria.

The Federal Government confirmed the operation, describing it as part of ongoing counterterrorism cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.

In the aftermath of the air raids, there were reports of heightened movement by armed groups into neighbouring areas.

The Chairman of the Traditional Council in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State, Daniel Abomtse, raised concern over what he described as an influx of armed herders into some communities soon after the attack.

Community leaders in Tangaza, Gudu, and parts of Illela in Sokoto State, in an interview with Punch, also reported noticeable dislocation and movement by suspected fighters.

Some residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said suspected bandits were seen moving in smaller groups toward remote forest corridors, while others were believed to be attempting to cross into neighbouring border communities.

Senior military officials, speaking with THE PUNCH on Monday, said the armed forces are tracking the movements of the fleeing militants.

“We know they are fleeing. We have information on that, and we are working on it. They are being monitored, and their movements are being tracked,” one official said.

Another military source highlighted ongoing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, adding, “Is it possible for us not to know they are fleeing? We have the information, and we are conducting ISR to track them.”