Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
In the northeastern state of Borno, sustained operations by the Borno State Police Command, alongside military units and allied security operatives, have contributed to improving security conditions in parts of the Tungushe axis, allowing displaced residents to cautiously return to their ancestral communities in Kwalji and Gonisinari. The developments come amid a broader security environment marked by persistent threats from Boko Haram and its splinter faction, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), even as authorities pursue stabilisation and recovery efforts across affected areas.
Security officials say the proactive posture of the police, working in synergy with the Nigerian Army, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local hunters, has resulted in increased patrols, checkpoints and visible deployment along key routes and rural settlements in Borno. These measures are designed to deter insurgents, protect returning civilians, and bolster confidence in the safety of communities that were previously abandoned at the height of the Boko Haram insurgency. Although detailed official figures for Kwalji and Gonisinari specifically are not yet available from independent sources, the general trend points to cautious repopulation as security forces consolidate territorial control.
The strategic focus on stabilising these corridors reflects authorities’ understanding that community confidence and physical security must be restored before lasting normalcy can take root. In recent weeks, the police command and its partners have also repelled coordinated attacks by insurgents on police formations and settlements in other parts of the state, underscoring the ongoing threat despite gains in reclaimed areas. Security authorities confirmed that suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters launched assaults on the Nganzai Divisional Police Headquarters and the Malam Fatori IDP Camp in Damasak, engaging police and allied forces in early‑morning gun battles. Four police officers and one hunter were killed in those engagements, but combined security units repelled the attackers, restored calm, and deployed additional personnel to reinforce defences. These operations, while tragic, reflect the broader effort to push back insurgent activity beyond Maiduguri and stabilise rural communities as part of a comprehensive counterinsurgency approach.
Security analysts note that the region’s instability stems from a more than decade‑long insurgency that has displaced millions of residents across the Lake Chad Basin and northeastern Nigeria and has killed tens of thousands. Borno State, long the epicentre of the conflict, has seen repeated cycles of attacks on both military outposts and civilian settlements, forcing large populations into displacement camps in Maiduguri, Jere and other urban centres. While the intensity of violence has fluctuated, periodic attacks — including suicide bombings, ambushes on security forces, and raids on villages — continue to underscore the fragile nature of peace. At least 23 people were killed in suspected suicide bomb attacks in Maiduguri in March, demonstrating the reach of militant networks even within areas considered relatively secure.
Despite these challenges, the incremental return to communities like Kwalji and Gonisinari illustrates progress on the security front. Local sources and security officials indicate that the joint force presence has helped deter insurgent movements and provided assurance to displaced families considering returning to their lands. The presence of police and military personnel not only serves as a protective measure but also as a signal to residents that government and security agencies are committed to building a foundation for lasting stability.
However, the transition from insecurity to sustainable peace requires more than military deployments. Humanitarian observers emphasise the need for complementary efforts by government agencies and development partners to rehabilitate infrastructure, restore basic services and support livelihoods. Many returning families will face urgent needs for water, healthcare, education and agricultural inputs to resume farming — the primary economic activity in rural Borno. Without these supports, the path to recovery for communities like Kwalji and Gonisinari will remain fragile, and the risk of re‑displacement could persist if economic and social conditions fail to improve alongside security gains.
The Borno State government and security leadership have repeatedly urged residents to remain vigilant and to share credible intelligence that can aid ongoing operations. Authorities maintain that community cooperation is indispensable for identifying latent threats and ensuring that stabilised areas do not revert to insecurity.
In addition to on‑the‑ground stabilisation, Borno’s overall security landscape continues to confront high‑profile challenges. Recent insurgent attacks on police and IDP sites have underscored the enduring presence of militant groups, even as security forces strive to contain their operations. The deployment of additional police resources and tactical assets in affected hotspots reflects recognition of these threats and a commitment to maintaining momentum against insurgent activities.
As more families return to Kwalji, Gonisinari and other hard‑hit communities, the unfolding situation in Borno will likely be shaped by how effectively security operations are paired with community rebuilding efforts. For residents who fled years ago, the chance to resettle represents a hard‑won milestone in a long journey toward recovery. Yet the complexities of prolonged conflict and the intermittent nature of insurgent attacks mean that the road to peace will continue to demand sustained effort from security agencies, government actors and the returning communities themselves.
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