How Terrorist Groups Are Recruiting Nigerians Online, Military Reveals

The Nigerian military has raised an alarm over ISWAP’s Terrorist recruitment efforts on social media, warning the public as it steps up counterterrorism measures. Coordinated air and ground strikes have neutralized threats across Nigeria, with major breakthroughs in countering terrorism and illegal activities.

In a crucial move to protect national security, the Nigerian military has sounded the alarm on a recruitment drive launched by terrorists, specifically the ISWAP group, targeting youths on social media platforms. The military, in a statement on Saturday, revealed that coordinated air and ground operations had disrupted terrorist networks, killed numerous fighters, and crippled terrorist supply lines. These intensive operations, they said, are a direct response to ISWAP’s recruitment attempts to bolster its ranks amid rising pressure from Nigerian forces.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, confirmed that airstrikes and ground offensives under Operation HADIN KAI have successfully dismantled ISWAP enclaves, resulting in the deaths of over 70 terrorists in recent days. “Our synchronized strikes at Kwallaram and Arainna Ciki islands in Borno State have effectively neutralized several of their members,” Buba stated, emphasizing the military’s commitment to eliminating threats posed by these extremist groups.

In addition to tackling terrorism, the military has made substantial arrests, confiscating weapons, disrupting illegal oil refineries, and rescuing kidnapped victims. In the South-South region alone, the military thwarted oil theft operations valued at over N1.4 billion, destroyed illegal refining sites, and seized 914,445 liters of stolen crude oil. These operations have not only weakened ISWAP’s operational capacity but also safeguarded critical national resources.