Nigeria’s military forces mobilize against Boko Haram amid mounting attacks

Nahla Abdel Moneim

Fighting has recently intensified between the Nigerian government and Boko Haram, or the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Nigerian military spokesman Sagir Musa announced that military forces had freed 100 people held hostage by the extremist organization.

The military spokesman said Thursday, June 27 that Nigeria’s forces carried out a military operation aimed at freeing hostages held in the northeastern state of Borno and killed many militants during a fierce battle took place between two sides.

This statement came hours after the Boko Haram group executed a shooting in one of the country’s villages in the same province on Wednesday, June 26, killing 25 people, including five civilians. It was reported that the cause of the shooting was to thwart the process of freeing hostages in the region.

Intensity of clashes

In light of the above, the intensification of clashes between the two sides is evident, as well as the state’s use of a deterrent strategy for abductions and detentions. Recent international statements have warned of the growing power of Boko Haram, the increase in kidnappings and the need for the authorities to take a firm stand on the issue.

In 2018, UNICEF issued a statement stating that the group had abducted more than 1,000 children in Nigeria since 2013. The Chibok incident was the most famous of the ongoing series of kidnappings, which took place in April 2014 and during which 276 girls were abducted from the government high school in Borno, leading to condemnation from human rights and legal organizations at the time.

With regard to the state’s use of force against extremists, some are moving towards new fears, which may have come as a result of the 22nd report of the UN Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted to the UN Security Council, which stated that the Nigerian government had paid a large ransom to Boko Haram for the liberation of Dapchi students who were kidnapped by the group on February 18, 2018.

The report has led to many accusations against the government, including lying about the release of abductees. The government claims to facilitate this through the imposition of a military truce between the two sides, which surrounds suspicions of the “ransom problem.”

Regarding the increase in Boko Haram’s violence in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, a study by the Institute for Economics and Peace reported that, in 2018, Nigeria witnessed a dramatic increase in violence and death rates due to the presence of Boko Haram, citing intensive operations organized by the group. This in turn led to Nigeria ranking third among countries most affected by terrorist groups.