Security and intelligence sources have revealed that many terrorists dislodged from Zamfara and Sokoto states are relocating to the South-East and South-South regions through interconnected forest corridors and riverine routes stretching across several states.
According to the sources, the insurgents are moving through Niger and Kogi states into Anambra before spreading into Abia and Imo states, while others are advancing further south in an effort to escape sustained military pressure in the North.
A senior security official disclosed that some of the terrorists who left Zamfara had travelled through forests and bushes into other parts of the country, including Imo, Abia and even Ogun State.
The source also stated that members of the Ansaru group, as well as factions identified as Sadiku and Masua, were operating in Niger, Kwara and parts of the South-West, adding that security agencies had significantly degraded their operations and were intensifying efforts to apprehend them.
Kogi identified as strategic transit hub
A retired Army General explained that the terrorists rely heavily on the Niger River corridor in eastern Kogi State, particularly the Igala area, to cross into Anambra State before moving toward Imo and Abia.
He said the interconnected forests linking Zamfara, Benue, Niger and Kogi states with parts of the South-East and South-West, including Anambra, Ekiti and Ondo states, provide natural movement routes for the insurgents.
According to him, Kogi serves as a central logistics and coordination point for the groups, while the terrorists make use of established cattle paths through forests rather than public roads.
He clarified that this should not be interpreted as implicating herders, noting that many herders are themselves victims of bandit attacks and cattle rustling.
The retired General explained that the intersecting routes pass through Kogi and Kwara states before extending into southern areas through the Oyo National Park and the riverine and forest terrain along the Niger River in Igalamela-Odolu and Ofu Local Government Areas of Kogi State.
He also linked part of the security challenge to the proliferation of illegal weapons, alleging that firearms distributed to armed groups during a previous administration in Kogi State were never recovered after those groups were disbanded, with some individuals later joining terrorist organisations.
Forest routes extend into southern states
A Department of State Services officer confirmed that the forest pathways in Niger State connect an extensive network stretching through Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti states.
The officer alleged that the terrorists maintain a command centre in Kogi State where they train and coordinate operations. According to the source, forest routes in Kogi connect to the Ikole/Ijero forest and the Ogbese Forest Reserve in Ekiti State, which further links Ose and Ikare in Ondo State and provides access into Edo State.
Findings indicate that Ose shares a direct boundary with the Owan area of Edo State, making it one of the most direct corridors into the South-South.
Investigations also identified the Owerre-Ezukala, Ogbunike, Awka-Orlu axis between Anambra and Imo states as terrain characterised by dense forests, valleys and difficult landscapes that could provide cover for fleeing insurgents.
Similarly, the Ihiala-Orlu-Okigwe corridor connecting Anambra and Imo states contains extensive vegetation and bush paths, while the Umunneochi-Isuikwuato axis in Abia State features hilly and forested terrain linking directly to the broader South-East forest belt.
Edo takes precautionary measures
According to the DSS officer, the movement of terrorists into Edo State through the Ondo-Ose axis has already prompted defensive measures by the state government.
The source alleged that following the December 2025 United States strikes on terrorists in Sokoto, insurgent groups dispersed across different parts of Nigeria, including Edo State.
On Wednesday, the Edo State Government ordered the immediate closure of Ososo Grammar School, Ososo Comprehensive High School and Makeke Secondary School in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area after receiving intelligence reports of a planned kidnapping attack targeting students.
The government said the decision was based on security advisories warning of credible threats to students, teachers and residents in parts of the local government area.
Security agencies allege shift in terrorist strategy
The DSS officer further claimed that the terrorists have shifted from primarily seeking ransom payments to carrying out mass abductions intended to secure the release of detained commanders through prisoner exchanges.
The source alleged that the same group responsible for the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State was also linked to kidnappings in Niger, Ekiti and Kwara states.
However, the officer stated that the Federal Government was not prepared to negotiate in the Oyo incident, adding that Nigeria was receiving foreign support for rescue operations and that security agencies were closing in on the abductors.
Military officer says South-East remains difficult terrain
Despite intelligence reports suggesting infiltration into the South-East, a senior military officer attached to Anambra State's security outfit, Udo Ga-Achi, said the region remains hostile territory for northern terrorist groups.
Speaking anonymously, the officer said there were no known bandit camps in the area and maintained that previous criminal elements had suffered significant losses.
According to the officer, members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), would resist attempts by northern insurgents to establish camps within local forests, making the South-East a difficult environment for them.
Agunechemba confirms encounters with armed criminals
The Anambra State security outfit, Agunechemba, stated that it had encountered suspected bandits, kidnappers and other armed criminal groups operating in forests, riverine areas and border communities across the state.
However, its spokesperson, Nweke Nweke, said the organisation had no intelligence indicating that terrorists displaced from northern Nigeria were migrating through Anambra into Abia and Imo states.
He disclosed that Agunechemba had recovered arms caches during operations and had adopted strategic checkpoints, intelligence gathering, community vigilance and joint operations with the military, police and DSS to prevent infiltration.
Nweke added that the outfit would continue collaborating with federal security agencies to maintain peace across the state.
Imo Police reject terrorism claims
The Imo State Police Command dismissed reports of terrorism or banditry in the state, maintaining that the only terrorist threat it currently confronts comes from IPOB and ESN members.
Police Public Relations Officer Henry Okoye described reports suggesting the presence of northern terrorists in Imo as propaganda and said the command had been conducting continuous raids of forested areas alongside local vigilantes and community partners.
He acknowledged that some northerners posing as herders had been arrested in connection with kidnapping incidents but insisted there had been no cases involving the abduction of schoolchildren in the state.
According to him, investigations into kidnapping cases have revealed that suspects sometimes include IPOB and ESN members, individuals posing as herders and, in some instances, local community members.
Abia Government says state remains secure
The Abia State Government also stated that it was unaware of any terrorist presence within its forests but affirmed that it had strategies in place to prevent infiltration.
The Security Adviser to Governor Alex Otti, MacDonald Uba, said the state had successfully resisted terrorist encroachment and remained committed to protecting lives and property.
Similarly, the Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, said there was no terrorist presence in Abia, adding that the command continues to implement sustainable security measures, including joint patrols with other security agencies and routine visits to schools, government facilities and public places.
ADEOLA KUNLE
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