Description: Nigeria’s military has successfully repelled a simultaneous attack by Boko Haram militants in Borno and Yobe states in the northeastern parts of the country. The militants attacked a military barracks compound in the region which they infiltrated from north Cameroon and a village called Katarko located in Yobe state. More than 50 militants have been neutralized while the military was actively pursuing another 70 militants that have scattered after the failed offensive on the military barracks compound. Military spokespeople in the Nigerian government have stated that Boko Haram conducted the attack using advanced equipment and drones, which were successfully eliminated by the Nigerian air force. Boko Haram has significantly increased its presence in the sub – Saharan region of Africa for the past year waging its insurgent war in several countries such as Nigeria, Niger and Mali which has resulted in the deaths of more than 35 thousand people and the displacement of more than 2 million, according to the UN.
Impact: Boko Haram continues to expand its operational outreach further sophisticating its means of warfare and exploiting pockets of low – scale military presence to inflict civilian casualties and spread its campaign of terrorism. Nigeria has recently received a financial aid package aimed at increasing the military’s capabilities in countering militant and terrorist attacks by the US which would enable the country in more effectively positioning its tactical and strategic assets to defend the conflict laden regions such as Borno, Katsina and Yobe states. Nigeria belongs to the group of countries in Africa which are mostly affected by the rise of terrorist and militant attacks which are lacking a comprehensive anti and counterterrorism strategies, significant military and security resources and are plagued by corruption. Terrorist organizations would continue to exploit the general state of disorder to reassert their presence, influence and increase their level of operational activities.