A military strategist has warned that security indicators suggest an imminent attack on Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, by Boko Haram, urging Nigerian authorities to take urgent steps to prevent the assault.
The strategist, who spoke about the current security situation in the region, said recent developments on the battlefield point to preparations for a possible strike on the city.
According to him, the militant group has strengthened its operational capacity after reportedly seizing weapons and ammunition from military forces during recent clashes.
“All battle indicators point to an imminent attack by the Boko Haram group on Maiduguri,” he said.
He further warned that the group currently appears to have momentum and could attempt to exploit it.
“They have huge quantities of ammunition and weapons that they seized from the military. Furthermore, they have good planners who think clearly. They have momentum on their side at the moment, and it makes military sense to press on with the advantage that they have,” he added.
The strategist, who spoke on condition of anonymity, urged the Nigerian government and military authorities to take proactive measures to counter any potential plan by the terrorists to advance toward Maiduguri.
He also called on security agencies to strengthen defensive measures around the city and intensify intelligence gathering to prevent any possible attack.
The warning comes amid ongoing security concerns in northeastern Nigeria, where Boko Haram and its splinter factions have continued to launch attacks on communities and military positions.
In early March 2026, the region witnessed a surge of violent insurgent activity, underscoring the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
On the night of March 5, ISWAP fighters reportedly launched simultaneous attacks on four Nigerian Army bases located in Mainok, Jakana, Marte, and Konduga in Borno State.
The coordinated assaults reportedly lasted for over five hours, with militants arriving on motorcycles and vehicles while armed with heavy weapons. Parts of the military camps were set ablaze as the attackers attempted to overwhelm the soldiers’ defenses.
Troops under Operation Hadin Kai reportedly fought back and repelled the assaults, inflicting casualties on the insurgents.
Despite the resistance, the attackers allegedly escaped with military vehicles, motorcycles, and a significant cache of weapons and ammunition.
Days later, Boko Haram militants carried out additional attacks in Kukawa, Borno State, and Goniri in Yobe State. The insurgents reportedly breached military camps, killing several soldiers, including senior officers such as Lieutenant Colonel Umar Farouq.
Security sources also reported that the attackers destroyed armoured tanks and military vehicles before looting what they described as large quantities of ammunition.
The seizure of weapons has raised concerns among security observers about the growing firepower of the insurgent groups and their ability to sustain prolonged attacks.
Borno State, located in Nigeria’s northeast, has remained the epicentre of the insurgency since Boko Haram emerged in 2009.
Maiduguri, the state capital, is widely regarded as the symbolic and operational hub of the insurgency, as the group was founded in the city and carried out some of its earliest attacks there.
Over the years, the conflict has left thousands dead, displaced millions, and devastated communities across the region. Security analysts warn that renewed militant activity highlights the continuing threat posed by insurgent groups operating in the Lake Chad region.
