Nigerian Military Exposes How JAS Terrorists Relocated from N/East Through North-West to South-West

June 11, 2026 — Blessing Okafor 6 min read

The Defence Headquarters confirmed on Tuesday that Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal Jihad, commonly known as JAS, has completed a strategic migration across Nigeria's northern corridor, establishing a presence in the South-West after fleeing sustained military operations in the North-East. The disclosure came during a briefing in Abuja where military officials outlined the movement pattern that has seen the terrorist group disperse from Borno and Yobe states into the North-West before probing deeper into the country's middle belt and southwestern territories.

Senior defence spokesperson Major General Emmanuel Darup disclosed that intelligence assessments indicate JAS cells are now operational in at least three additional states outside their traditional strongholds. The group, which once concentrated forces around Maiduguri, has fragmented into smaller units capable of long-distance repositioning. Military sources said the shift represents both a survival mechanism and an adaptation to Nigeria's counterinsurgency pressure campaign that has degraded the group's command structure over the past two years.

How the Migration Unfolded

The Defence Headquarters briefing revealed that JAS began its deliberate westward expansion following intensified air and ground operations in early 2024. Military data showed that JAS lost control of several local government areas in Borno State between January and August, forcing surviving fighters to scatter rather than regroup. Intelligence reports suggest the group initially moved through Adamawa and Taraba states before establishing transit points in Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto.

Security analysts tracking the movement noted that the North-West region presented a familiar operating environment, given the presence of other armed groups including bandit networks with whom JAS fighters have at times coordinated. The Defence Headquarters acknowledged that cross-group collaboration has complicated counter-terrorism efforts, creating safe passage corridors that enabled the migration southward.

Local officials in Kwara State confirmed that security checkpoints have intercepted suspected JAS operatives attempting to blend into civilian populations in at least two local government areas. The state government has since ordered enhanced surveillance in border communities. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's office released a statement urging residents to report suspicious individuals, citing credible intelligence that the group is recruiting locally.

Military Response and Containment Strategy

The Nigerian Army has redeployed at least two battalion-level formations to reinforce garrisons in states now reporting JAS activity. Major General Darup stated that the theatre command structure has been adjusted to account for the group's new geographic spread, with Operation Hadin Kai forces tasked with maintaining pressure on core North-East positions while supporting secondary operations in the North-West and South-West corridors.

Air force intelligence assets have been redirected to monitor suspected movement routes, with drone surveillance expanded to cover previously low-intensity zones. Military sources indicated that satellite imagery and human intelligence networks have identified at least seven staging areas where JAS fighters have established temporary bases before pushing further south.

The Defence Headquarters said it has established a joint task force spanning multiple states to coordinate responses. The arrangement includes police, civil defence, and local vigilante groups operating under military guidance. Authorities have provided updated rules of engagement allowing forces in affected states to act on intelligence without waiting for central approval, a policy shift intended to reduce response times against mobile threats.

Threat Assessment for South-West Communities

Security briefings paint a concerning picture for South-West states where JAS presence, though still limited, appears to be growing. Officials in Oyo, Ogun, and Osun states have held emergency security meetings since the Defence Headquarters announcement. Community leaders in border towns near the North-Central region say they have noticed unfamiliar faces in markets and near transport hubs in recent weeks.

The Department of State Services has issued alerts to state governors warning that JAS recruiters have been offering payments to young men in rural communities. The alerts, seen by journalists, indicated that amounts ranging from fifty thousand to one hundred thousand naira have been offered for logistics support, information gathering, and shelter provision. The DSS characterised the payments as evidence of a deliberate strategy to build local networks before launching larger operations.

Residents in affected communities expressed alarm at the disclosures. A trader in Oyo town said market leaders had organised informal watch groups after hearing about the threat. "We have never faced anything like this before," the trader told local journalists. "Our people are scared but we are trying to protect ourselves." State emergency management agencies have been placed on alert, though officials caution that resources remain stretched following years of insecurity across multiple regions.

Cross-Regional Coordination Challenges

The migration of JAS fighters across Nigeria's regional boundaries has exposed gaps in the country's security architecture. Each state maintains its own police force, but counter-terrorism operations have relied heavily on military deployments that require federal authorisation for cross-state movements. The Defence Headquarters acknowledged that legal and administrative constraints have at times slowed coordinated responses.

State governors have renewed calls for expanded security powers. The Nigeria Governors' Forum issued a communiqué after its last meeting demanding faster deployment approvals and direct communication channels with military commanders in the field. Governors from the South-West particularly pushed for improved intelligence sharing, arguing that delays in transmitting threat information have cost precious response time.

Federal authorities said a new framework is being developed to streamline authorisation processes while maintaining civilian oversight. The Minister of Defence told reporters in Abuja that the government recognises the urgency and is working to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles that impede rapid deployment. Details of the proposed changes remain under review, with an announcement expected before the end of the quarter.

Humanitarian and Economic Impact

The spread of JAS activity beyond the North-East has triggered humanitarian concerns in regions unaccustomed to large-scale violence. The National Emergency Management Agency reported that at least twelve thousand people have been displaced internally within the past six months due to security incidents linked to the group's repositioning. The figure represents a sharp increase from the previous reporting period when displacement numbers remained relatively contained.

Local economies in affected areas have begun showing signs of strain. Business owners in towns near suspected JAS staging points report declining customer traffic as residents limit travel and social activities. Insurance premiums for commercial transport operating in high-risk corridors have risen by an estimated thirty percent, according to industry data. Agricultural markets in rural areas have suffered as farmers delay planting seasons due to security concerns.

International aid organisations have started assessing needs in newly affected states, though funding constraints limit capacity to respond. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs noted in its latest report that Nigeria's humanitarian response plan remains critically underfunded, with less than forty percent of required resources secured for the current year.

What Comes Next

Military officials said the next phase of operations will focus on disrupting JAS supply chains and communication networks that enable the group to coordinate movement across regions. Intelligence services have been tasked with infiltrating cells operating in newly targeted states, a strategy that requires time and careful planning to avoid civilian casualties.

Citizens in South-West states should monitor official advisories and report unusual activity to the nearest security outpost, authorities said. The DSS has activated a dedicated hotline for threat reporting and has deployed community liaison officers to high-risk areas. Security forces have pledged to investigate all credible reports while urging against vigilantism that could escalate tensions.

Analysts say the coming dry season, beginning in November, will likely determine whether JAS can sustain its expanded presence or faces pressure that forces another repositioning. Military planners anticipate increased movement during the harmattan period when vegetation thins and surveillance improves. The next three months will test whether Nigeria's security apparatus can contain a threat that has proven capable of adapting to pressure by relocating across vast distances.