A recent report by the South Africa-based non-profit Good Governance Africa indicates there is enough evidence to show that Boko Haram militants have renewed their offensive in Nigeria after years of relative decline.

According to Nigeria's National Human Rights Commission, at least 2,266 people were killed by bandits or insurgents in Nigeriaduring the first half of 2025 — surpassing the total number of such deaths in all of 2024. 

"We're seeing nighttime raids, not just against civilians but also against the military. Not just to prevent reinforcement," Malik Samuel, a senior researcher with Good Governance Africa, told DW. "This shows the tactical approach is being used. We are seeing attacks and abductions on highways and farmlands,"

In a recent attack in Darul Jamal in northeastern Nigeria at least 60 people were killed. 

What's behind Boko Haram's resurgence?

In March 2025, Niger announced its withdrawal from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which is mandated to secure the borders in the Lake Chad region.

Initially established by Nigeria in 1994, the MNJTF has expanded and adopted a more international approach with the participation of its neighbors, Niger, Cameroon, Chad and Benin.

When Niger pulled out this year, it cited the need to focus on safeguarding its homeland, particularly its oil and uranium assets.

The current government of Niger took power after a military coup in July 2023 that overthrew the democratically-elected government of President Mohamed Bazoum.

Analysts believe that Niger's decision to pull out of the MNJTF has made the shared border between Nigeria and Niger porous, allowing insurgents to ramp up their ammunition and increase their attacks.

"Logistics and planning have become easier for Boko Haram in terms of smuggling arms and ammunitions into their territory," Regional Organized Crime Observatory Coordinator for Central Africa at the Senegal-based Institute for Security Studies Oluwole Ojewale told DW.

In addition, some experts believe there is significant competition for the military resources that were once concentrated in Nigeria's northeast region, due to other security challenges, including clashes between farmers and herders, kidnappings and robbery.

"That is making the communities become more vulnerable to Boko Haram attacks," Ojewale said.

UN reports indicate that more than 40,000 people have been killed and at least 2 million people have been displaced since the crisis began some 15 years ago.

Nigeria's counterterrorism strategy

Over the years, the Nigerian military has deployed multi-pronged strategies to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency. Recent attempts have included targeted airstrikes, border monitoring and community engagements.

Nigeria's military spokesperson, Brigadier General Tukur Gasau, told DW that the security situation in the northeast was currently very stable.

"The large part of those terrorists has been decimated. They lack the capacity to occupy a place the way they did before," he said, adding that in places such as Borno State, which was once the epicenter, schools had reopened.

"Markets are on, businesses are on, the roads that used to be unmotorable due to the activities of terrorists are now open, people move freely," Gasau added.

However, one resident who chose to remain anonymous told DW that the situation on the ground was different. "People are scared, you can feel the tension, you can feel the threat, people are being attacked, you cannot drive at night, if you're sleeping your eyes are open, so the government needs to do more."

"We have seen some successes of the Nigerian government against Boko Haram. But we have also seen significant comebacks that greatly undermine the state, like we're currently seeing," said Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar, Executive Director of the West Africa Centre for Counter Extremism (WACCE).

"At the moment there is no sign that indicates the state is in full control or that the Boko Haram insurgency will end soon," he added.

Collaboration key to dismantling Boko Haram

Malik Samuel suggested that the government needed to enhance collaboration with both state and non-state actors to tackle the security challenge.

"If the state is implementing a response, religious leaders should be carried along," he told DW, noting that the Boko Haram conflict was backed by ideology. "When you have religious leaders coming out with alternative narratives to try and educate the people, it is a good step."

He also said that it was important that the Nigerian state be more present in villages that have been hit by the insurgency. 

For his part, Ojewale advocated for cross-border security and multinational cooperation. He also called for intervention by regional blocs, such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), saying that investment in security, and the African Union were the immediate solution to the crisis.

In the long term, the Nigerian government needs to halt the "propensity of the terrorist groups to drive increased recruitment which solidifies their ranks," Ojewale added.

Some information in this article is excerpted from the DW vodcast Under the Baobab

Edited by: Chrispin Mwakideu