In the dense vegetation of Nigeria’s Sambisa Forest, foreign fighters move silently alongside local insurgents, their expertise honed in conflict zones from Libya to Mali. This transnational dimension of terrorism represents one of the most pressing yet least understood aspects of Nigeria’s security crisis. As states and businesses count mounting losses from the insurgency and investors hesitate to commit to our northern regions, understanding the role of Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs) becomes not just a security imperative but an economic one.
The influx of FTFs into Nigeria has significantly exacerbated the country’s security concerns in recent months, with the prevailing situations in Borno, Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina states constituting the most worrisome dimension. Nigeria’s issues flow more from the Sahel due to the influence of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS), which have taken the region as their biggest haven. The more these big players in global terrorism are displaced from other parts of the world, the more they strengthen their grip on the Sahel.
Foreign Terrorist Fighters cross borders to join terrorist organisations, bringing with them tactical expertise, ideological fervour, and international connections. The United Nations defines them as “individuals who travel to a State other than their State of residence or nationality for the purpose of perpetration, planning or preparation of terrorist acts”. In Nigeria’s case, these fighters have transformed what began as localised grievances into sophisticated insurgencies with global connections.
The Defence Headquarters recently confirmed what security experts have long suspected: the spike in terrorist activities across Nigeria’s Northeast and Northwest is directly linked to an influx of foreign fighters serving as reinforcements. These combatants bring military expertise that has enhanced the operational capabilities of groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), turning them from disorganised bandits into formidable fighting forces.
From local sect to regional threat: The Sahelian connection
The evolution of Boko Haram illustrates how FTFs have catalysed violence in Nigeria. What began as a localised religious movement has morphed into a regional threat, with fighters from Chad, Niger, and Cameroon bolstering its ranks. These foreign elements have introduced advanced tactics, including improvised explosive devices and coordinated ambushes that have proven deadly for both military personnel and civilians.
The Sambisa Forest exemplifies how geography serves insurgents’ purposes. As Nigerian military officials have noted, this vast woodland spanning four states provides an “ideal hiding place for Boko Haram because it’s large, sparsely populated and has lots of tree cover that hampers aerial surveillance”. Foreign fighters, familiar with similar terrain in the Sahel, have helped transform these natural features into strategic advantages, establishing training camps and arms smuggling routes.
Nigeria’s insurgency problem cannot be viewed in isolation from broader regional dynamics. The collapse of Libya in 2011 unleashed a flood of weapons and fighters across the Sahel, creating what security experts call a “terrorist corridor” stretching from Mali to Nigeria’s northern borders. These fighters traverse Niger’s porous borders, exploiting weak governance structures and communal grievances.
The recent cooling of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and neighbouring nations that have signalled intentions to leave ECOWAS presents additional complications. As retired Assistant Inspector General of Police Wilson Inalegwu observed, “Nigeria alone can’t deal with this challenge due to the interconnectedness of our peoples and security. We must continue to seek cooperation and coordination with neighbouring countries”.
This regional dimension is reflected in terrorism metrics. Nigeria’s Terrorism Index increased to 7.66 points in 2024 from 7.58 in 2023, placing it among countries most impacted by terrorism globally. This persistent threat has cost the Nigerian economy billions in lost investments, agricultural productivity, and tourism potential.
While ideological extremism drives many FTFs, it would be simplistic to view the phenomenon solely through a religious lens. Some foreign fighters in Nigeria’s Northwest are motivated by ethnic and economic opportunities in kidnapping, cattle rustling, and illegal mining. These criminal enterprises generate substantial revenue that funds further violence and attracts more fighters from impoverished neighbouring countries.
European authorities have noted that the FTF phenomenon represents “a new dimension to an old threat,” with unprecedented numbers joining conflicts globally. Nigeria’s experience confirms this assessment, as foreign fighters have brought sophisticated tactics that have prolonged and intensified conflicts beyond what local insurgents could achieve alone.
Where do we go from here?
The transnational nature of the terrorist threat facing Nigeria demands a multifaceted response. Military operations alone, while necessary, cannot stem the tide of foreign fighters crossing our borders. Nigeria must urgently revitalise regional security cooperation, even amid diplomatic tensions, while investing in enhanced border surveillance technologies and intelligence capabilities.
In the second part of this two-part series, we will explore concrete solutions, including expanding initiatives to address the FTF threat, economic interventions in vulnerable border communities, and the role of the private sector in building resilience against extremism. The business community cannot afford to view terrorism as merely a security problem for government to solve. When foreign fighters destabilise entire regions, they disrupt supply chains, agricultural production, and market access – fundamentals that drive our economy. Understanding this transnational dimension of Nigeria’s security challenge is the first step toward developing effective countermeasures that protect both our citizens and our economic future.
By Isaac Olawale Albert
Culled from businessday.ng
