According to Daily Post, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has offered new insight into the challenges faced by the military in its effort to neutralize terrorists and bandits entrenched in the country’s expansive forest regions. Speaking during a defence briefing on Thursday, Badaru explained that despite the growing pressure from Nigerians demanding swift, decisive strikes, the military is exercising caution due to the complex nature of forest combat operations.
According to him, the dense and unpredictable terrain of forests such as Sambisa, Birnin Gwari, Kamuku, Kainji, and other deep wooded areas makes it nearly impossible for aerial bombardments alone to completely dislodge criminal groups hiding within.
“But bomb cannot penetrate the forests. We are studying the situation,” Badaru said, emphasizing the need for a strategic and calculated approach rather than sporadic attacks that may either miss the targets or put innocent lives at risk.
He explained that thick vegetation often shields terrorists from drone surveillance and makes it difficult for aircraft to strike with precision. Leaf cover absorbs impact, tree density disrupts aerial trajectory, and complex topography provides natural escape routes. For these reasons, he said, security forces are relying on a combination of intelligence, surveillance technology, and ground troop infiltration to weaken the criminal networks.
Badaru noted that while the government knows the approximate locations of several bandit enclaves, launching large-scale bombardments without clear visual confirmation could lead to collateral damage, including harm to villagers who may be held hostage or living close to the forests.
“We cannot operate blindly,” he stressed. “This is why operations take time. We are integrating technology, gathering intelligence, and planning coordinated strikes. Nigeria’s security forces must act with accuracy, not desperation.”
Security analysts argue that the Minister’s remarks reflect the complexity of fighting insurgents who exploit natural terrain to their advantage. Forests provide cover, concealment, and multiple escape paths—factors that give bandits tactical flexibility.
Despite these challenges, Badaru assured Nigerians that progress is being made. He referenced ongoing covert operations, improved drone surveillance, and collaborative intelligence from local communities, insisting that the armed forces are not relenting. View, More,
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