Terrorists and bandits intensify deadly offensives across many Northern states, resulting in unabated killings and wanton destruction of properties despite the presence of United States military operatives
By Udoka Ekeleme, Abuja
The arrival of the 100 military operatives from the United States of America (USA) to Nigeria, to help contain terrorism and banditry in the country, appears to have emboldened members of the Boko Haram terrorists and bandits who have been unleashing series of attacks and kidnap of citizens, especially in the Northern regions.
Mid-February 2026, the American troops had arrived Borno State, the epicenter of terrorists’ attacks in the North to lend support to the Nigerian military in the combat of terrorism. The US had also promised that another 200 soldiers would be added later to join the first 100 soldiers.
Though the American intervention was applauded by the presidency, not a few citizens condemned America’s military presence in the country, referring to it as defence imperialism.
Confirming the presence of the foreign troops, Major General Samaila Uba, the spokesperson for the Defence Headquarters had said in a statement that the American soldiers were not in the country to engage terrorists in direct combat, but to help training, intelligence and technical advisory support to the indigenous military.
However, there has been an escalation of deadly attacks on the citizens by terrorists in the month of February 2026. The states of Zamfara, Sokoto, Borno, Niger, Benue and Plateau have been witnessing sustained Terrorists’ attacks in the recent times, hundreds of citizens have been killed and abducted for ransom payments.
In February 2026, more than 34 people were said to have been killed when suspected Lakurawa terrorists launched coordinated attacks on several rural communities in Kebbi State.
The attacks occurred in villages within Arewa Local Government Area, particularly Bui and neighbouring settlements.
According to sources, the gunmen stormed the remote border communities, opening fire in what survivors described as highly organised and indiscriminate assaults.
Security sources said 16 people were killed in Mamunu, five in Awashaka, three in Masama, and two each in five other villages.
The unprovoked attack forced residents to flee as the gunmen invaded homes and shot at civilians.
In Zamfara State again in February, another 30 people were reportedly killed as terrorists launched a fresh attack on Dutsin Dan Ajiya Village in Anka Local Government Area of the State.
According to eyewitness account, “The attack occurred on Thursday, February 19, 2026, when the terrorists on motorbikes surrounded the village, blocking all exits before unleashing terror on defenceless residents. The incident came just a day after the Minister of Defence, Major General Christopher Musa (rtd), visited Zamfara to launch 25 sophisticated armoured vehicles, surveillance equipment, and drones procured by Governor Dauda Lawal,” said Malam Yakubu Dan Ajiya, who narrowly escaped the attack.
In Benue State, six travelers, including four members of the Ansarudeen Islamic Society, were abducted by bandits along the Naka-Makurdi Road in Benue State, with the kidnappers demanding N100 million for their release. The attack also took place in February.
The victims were reportedly travelling in a convoy when their vehicle was intercepted around Kula village, about 20 minutes’ drive from Makurdi.
On Monday, February 23, 2026, youths in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, went berserk in protest over the killings in their area by terrorists. The young people in their hundreds blocked the highway leading to Jos and other local government areas of the state to protest the killing of community members by gunmen, who attacked the Dorowa Bubuje area in the night of Sunday, February 22. Fourteen persons were killed in three separate attacks in rural communities in the state.
Obviously rattled by these incidences of wanton killings of innocent citizens, President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, February 23 had vowed that his administration would establish state police to crush insecurity in the country.
The President also assured Nigerians that what he promised them before he became President in 2023 would be fulfilled.
Tinubu spoke when he hosted state governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The meeting was to break the ongoing Ramadan fast with the state chief executives, even as he charged them to double their efforts to ensure that communities at the grassroots, where hope sometimes flickers, are touched.
Tinubu said: “Tonight, I hosted our State Governors to an interfaith breaking of the fast as Muslims observe Ramadan and Christians journey through Lent.
“In this sacred season for two of the major faiths in our dear country, we are reminded that beyond politics and policy, we are first a people of conscience.
“I commended the Governors for their efforts so far and for the various outreaches they have carried out this holy month. But I also challenged them to do more.
“To reach the young man who feels forgotten. To lift the woman who carries her family on tired shoulders. To touch the communities at the grassroots where hope sometimes flickers.
“Development must not recognise religion. Compassion must not recognise tribe. Opportunity must not recognise status.
“I am determined to rescue this country. And as long as we work together in delivering hope to our citizens, the best is yet to come for Nigeria.
“What I promised Nigerians will not be postponed. Security is the foundation of prosperity. Without it, farms cannot flourish, businesses cannot grow, and families cannot sleep in peace.
“We will establish state police to curb insecurity. This is not about politics. It is about practicality. It is about empowering states with the tools to protect their people while strengthening our national framework.
“We must be bold enough to reform what is not working. We must be united enough to protect what we hold dear.
“Nigeria will be safer. Nigeria will be stronger. And together, we must commit to making it so.”
Speaking last week on the escalation of attacks, Major General Michael Onoja, Director Defence Media Operations, said the reason for the escalation was as a result of the decimation of the terrorists by the military.
Onoja added that terrorists are now concentrating more of their attacks on soft targets which, according to him, was an indication of weakness on the part of the daredevil non-state actors.
“At the end of the day they will get tired and we will smoke them out”, Onoja said as he confirmed once again that the US troops were in the country to provide value addition to the local military.
