The Borno State government has raised serious concerns over the growing infiltration of foreign terrorist fighters into its territory, heightening fears of a resurgence in Boko Haram activities. Usman Tar, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, made the revelation on Thursday during an interview on News Central, where he addressed the deteriorating security situation in the state.
Foreign Fighters Among Boko Haram Ranks
Commissioner Tar disclosed that many members of the Boko Haram terrorist group operating in Borno are not Nigerians, but foreign militants from neighboring countries.
“We have in the rank and file of Boko Haram, militants who are not from Nigeria but from neighbouring countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and other countries. That is what we mean by foreigners joining the rank and file of Boko Haram,” he stated.
This growing trend of transnational terrorism, according to Tar, presents a major challenge not just for Borno State but for Nigeria’s national security at large.
Federal Government Response and Border Security
Tar emphasized that the situation falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government, which is already working through multiple agencies to curb the influx of foreign terrorist elements.
“It is a federal matter. We are aware that the federal government is taking steps to safeguard the territorial borders of the country. The relevant security agencies—the Army, the Police, Immigration, and others—are working hard to detect the entry of foreign assets into Nigeria,” he said.
However, he admitted that this effort faces a major hurdle: the porosity of Nigeria’s borders.
“It is a sensitive matter,” Tar continued. “Nigeria’s boundary, and indeed boundaries all over Africa, are porous. We have cases where bandits and terrorists go in and out undetected. That appears to be an Africa-wide problem.”
Escalating Security Concerns in Borno
Tar’s remarks come amid renewed concerns over Boko Haram’s resurgence in Borno State, which had experienced a relative calm in recent years. The group, designated as a terrorist organization by Nigeria and several international bodies including the United Nations and the United States, has renewed attacks in rural communities.
Governor Babagana Zulum has been vocal about the deteriorating security situation. Speaking earlier this month at a Special Expanded Security Meeting, the governor raised the alarm over escalating violence, particularly the dislodgement of Nigerian military forces from strategic towns such as Wajirko, Sabon Gari, Wulgo, and Izge.
“These attacks and abductions are now occurring almost daily,” Governor Zulum said. “What is more troubling is the lack of a strong and visible response from our security forces. This is becoming a serious setback for Borno State and the entire Northeast region.”
Growing Pressure on Security Architecture
The current situation in Borno has exposed vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s security architecture, particularly in border areas. The renewed attacks and increased presence of foreign fighters have sparked urgent calls for enhanced surveillance, stronger immigration enforcement, and multilateral cooperation among West African nations to control the movement of armed groups.
Security experts argue that as long as militant fighters from Mali, Burkina Faso, and the broader Sahel continue to find their way into Nigeria, the fight against insurgency will remain elusive.
Regional Dimensions of the Crisis
The infiltration of foreign terrorist elements reflects a broader problem across Africa’s Sahel and Lake Chad Basin regions. Weak state institutions, ungoverned borderlands, and transnational jihadist networks have created fertile ground for terrorism to thrive. Boko Haram, along with its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), has long exploited these weaknesses to regroup and launch cross-border attacks.
Borno State, which has served as the epicenter of the Boko Haram insurgency since 2009, continues to suffer the consequences. Despite military offensives and the recapture of key territories, the insurgents still find ways to launch guerrilla-style ambushes and disrupt civilian life.
Governor Zulum’s Call for Reinforcements
Governor Zulum has consistently called for the federal government to provide more troops and modern equipment to confront the escalating threat. He has also urged better coordination between intelligence agencies and the armed forces, stressing that the military must reclaim areas now falling back under terrorist influence.
“The state cannot handle this alone,” Zulum reiterated. “We need immediate federal intervention, both in manpower and intelligence support, to restore order and protect our citizens.”
Looking Ahead
The statements from both Usman Tar and Governor Zulum reflect the grim reality that Boko Haram has not been completely defeated, despite over a decade of military campaigns. With foreign fighters reportedly bolstering the group’s ranks, the situation threatens to evolve into a more complex, regionally entangled conflict.
To effectively respond, Nigeria will need to bolster regional cooperation with neighbors such as Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, strengthen its border surveillance systems, and invest heavily in intelligence gathering. Without a robust and coordinated response, Borno and the wider northeast risk falling deeper into the cycle of insecurity.
The coming months will prove crucial as authorities assess the extent of foreign influence in the insurgency and determine the next course of action to stem the tide of violence threatening the stability of the region.
