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WASHINGTON (CHATNEWSTV) — Nigeria has been identified as a key safe haven for terrorist groups operating in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Country Reports on Terrorism released Friday. The report highlights escalating violence by groups linked to al-Qaida and ISIS, with Nigeria at the center of attacks that have destabilized the region.
ISIS-West Africa and Boko Haram continued their reign of terror across Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger in 2023, targeting civilians, infrastructure, and security forces. In Nigeria, the Lake Chad region served as a hotspot for kidnappings, destruction of property, and the recruitment of fighters.
“Terrorist groups are exploiting fragile communities and governance gaps, and Nigeria is among the hardest-hit nations,” said a senior State Department official.
Civilian Targets and Growing Threats
Insurgent violence in Nigeria often targeted schools, places of worship, and military outposts, with civilians bearing the brunt of the attacks. Kidnappings of humanitarian workers and foreign nationals compounded the insecurity in regions like Borno and Adamawa states.
Efforts by Nigerian security forces and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) provided limited relief, with accusations of abuses undermining trust among affected populations. “The people feel caught between terrorists and their supposed protectors,” said a local activist in Maiduguri.
Regional Instability Compounds Challenges
The report points to broader instability across the Sahel region, exacerbated by the withdrawal of U.N. peacekeepers from Mali and the Niger coup in July. These events emboldened terrorist factions like al-Qaida’s affiliate, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), and ISIS-Sahel, which expanded their operations into West Africa’s coastal nations.
Nigeria’s porous borders and ongoing governance challenges have made it a focal point for terrorist activity, with attacks spilling into neighboring countries and destabilizing the region further.
U.S. Support and Global Implications
The U.S. continues to assist Nigeria in counterterrorism efforts, focusing on border security, financial crime prevention, and law enforcement training. However, political and security challenges often limit the effectiveness of these initiatives.
“Nigeria’s position as a hub for terrorist activity has global implications,” the report noted.
“Addressing the root causes of extremism and improving governance are critical to reversing the trend.”
The findings reinforce Nigeria’s role as a central battleground in the fight against terrorism, with the potential to influence stability across the continent and beyond.
