Lieutenant Ayodeji Abiodun
Over the years, the spate of attacks by insurgents on rural communities has led to the movement of large numbers of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) into Monguno town where they were housed in makeshift structures. Later new camps were constructed within the town to house the IDPS. With the construction of the new camps, many of these IDPs moved from the makeshift structures to the camps except, mostly the IDPs from areas within Marte axis that remained at the makeshift structures within the town and rejected relocation to the new camps.
These IDPs remained at the GG, Gana Ali and Stadium IDP Camps that have long become a notorious hideout of BH/ISWAP terrorists infiltrating into the town. The GG, Gana Ali and Stadium IDP Camps are situated in proximity to own troops deployments at Charlie 13 and Charlie 7. These 2 deployments have on several times come under direct attack from terrorists coming from the Marte axis. Intelligence has revealed that the residents of these areas have been providing accommodation for terrorist infiltrators and concealment to the terrorists when they carry out attacks on military deployments in the area.
The terrorists made the Gana Ali and Stadium IDP camps inaccessible to other residents in the town and even the CJTF personnel in Monguno. The CJTF have duty locations in all parts of the town except at GG, Gana Ali and Stadium IDP Camps as their personnel earlier deployed on guard duties at these places were killed by terrorists who infiltrated into the area. By these terror tactics, the terrorists and their sympathizers, have created a safe haven right inside Monguno town from where they are able to coordinate attacks even inside Monguno.
In recent times there have been attacks on the Immigration office that led to the death of some immigration officers, on military personnel at Charlie 13 that led to the death of some soldiers and spate of kidnappings by terrorists infiltrators believed to have penetrated through these identified areas in the town.
Most instructive, was the attack that happened on 12 April 2026 at Charlie 13 where the terrorists organized an attack on Charlie 13 by fighters coming from Marte while an advanced team that infiltrated earlier into Gana Ali were able to place IEDs and lay in ambush for the Commanding Officer 242 Battalion and men on the way to reinforce troops of Charlie 13 under attack.
Intelligence was able to identify the structures, many of whom were used by the terrorists in this attack and had been sheltering the terrorists for long in their activities. Some of these structures are occupied by the parents and family members of these terrorists that provide concealment and accommodation whenever they infiltrate into town.
Consequently, the identified structures notably used for laying of IED (mines) and providing concealment to the insurgents were cleared. However, before embarking on the clearance of the identified places, the IDPs in the general area, many of whom had been sheltering the terrorists and providing logistical support were given time to relocate to Rapid Response IDP camp in Monguno for safety and better control.
Their former IDP camp at GG and stadium are in direct line of communication to Marte axis (where many terrorists are believed to harbor) and thus making infiltration into Monguno by the terrorists easy and unnoticeable. The decision now is that the IDPs in Monguno are to be relocated to the Rapid Response camp which is centrally a unified location for better protection, administration and surveillance.
This action is being conducted in accordance with established rules of engagement and with strict regard for the safety and human rights of civilians concerned and a necessary action to dismantle and neutralize terrorists’ elements within the town.
Law abiding residents within and around Monguno are advised to carry on with their legitimate activities and are urged to remain calm, vigilant, cooperate with security personnel and report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities. Residents are also advised to adhere strictly to any security advisories issued during the operation. Community cooperation remains vital in ensuring the success of the relocation.
Lieutenant Ayodeji Abiodun is Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations HQ Sector 3 OPHK/MNJTF Monguno
