Following reports by Global Terrorism Index (GTI) of a significant drop in Boko Haram ISWAP overall attacks in 2019, the bitter rivalry JAS and ISWAP jihadist factions have initiated a deadly plan to launch multiple coordinated suicidal attacks along specific locations in Northern Nigeria covering strategic local government areas (LGAs) in Borno state, the Mandara mountains, the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin and major roads along the Timbuktu triangle. 

Impeccable sources have revealed an active plan by Boko Haram terrorists to carry out attacks deploying suicide bombings tactics from mid-December 2020 to January 2021 targeting some LGAs of Borno. Some of these LGAs in Northern Borno took part in the recently conducted local government elections for the first time since 2007. Targeted LGAs are;

(I) Maiduguri

(II) Damaturu

(III) Mongono 

(IV) Baga

(V) Gwoza

(VI) Konduga

(VII) Damboa and

(VIII) Banki Town 

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The Boko Haram ISWAP and JAS terrorists have also concluded operational plans to launch ambush attacks along the following major roads linking key cities in Northern Nigeria:

(i) Maiduguri - Damaturu

(ii) Damboa - Maiduguri

(iii) Madagali - Gwoza

(iv) Gwoza - Maiduguri

(v) Maiduguri - Mongono

(vi) Mongono - Baga and

(vii) Bama - Banki

These active jihadist plans can be foiled if all civil, security and military stakeholders; local vigilantes( CJTF) local hunters, regional partners of the Lake Chad basin multinational joint task force ( MNJTF) and communities remain proactively vigilant and alert. 

Active ground and aerial surveillance and joint task force patrols by the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Air Force, along these named locations and others should be sufficient to deter and prevent the execution of these attacks against soft civilian and hard military targets. Counter jihadist operational forces should be deployed frequently but randomly by the state authority, security, and military stakeholders.

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Civilians and other road users should only travel on these red alert roads during this period if necessary and should exercise caution in the process. 

If you see something say something. 

About Author

David Otto is the Director for Stepped In – Step Out UK Ltd and a Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime Expert. He is a Certified Anti -Terrorism Specialist (CAS), a Certified Master Anti -Terrorism Specialist (CMAS) and a programme trainer with the Anti -Terrorism

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