By Segun Onibiyo
(Abuja) Maru town in Nigeria’s Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria, remains under severe threat from Fulani terrorists despite military onslaught, a lawmaker said on Feb. 14.
According to Abdulmalik Zubairu, a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Maru town has been attacked by Fulani terrorists at least 60 times in the past two years.
The Nigerian military in the past five months has ramped up attacks on terrorists and bandits in the North Western state and to a large extend, it has recorded huge successes. However , cases of insecurity still persist .
Zubairu, who represents the Bungudu/Maru Federal Constituency, stated that he has visited the area multiple times to offer condolences to the victims’ families.
“The records of these attacks are available for verification,” Zubairu said.
Located about 250 miles northwest of Abuja, the Nigerian capital, and 27.7 miles northwest of Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, Maru town is the capital city of Maru County.
The persistent attacks on Maru town have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the Nigerian military’s efforts to combat terrorism in the region.
Terrorists Abduct 10 Civilians in Maru
Maru town was thrown into chaos on Wednesday night (Feb. 14) as terrorists launched a deadly attack, kidnapping at least 10 civilians.
Speaking to Truthnigeria in an exclusive chat, Saadu Gambo Moriki, a retired non-commissioned officer of the Nigerian Army and a respected community leader (in Maradun, neighboring community) said , “The attack occurred on Wednesday ( February , 13, 2025 ) night, with bandits besieging the town around 2:00 a.m.”
The terrorists conducted house-to-house raids, abducting residents and looting valuable belongings from several households. A resident, who chose to remain anonymous, disclosed that his father-in-law, Alhaji Salisu Suleman, the Chief Imam of the Maru Central Mosque, was among those taken.
“Terrorists conducted house-to-house operations, abducting people and stealing valuable items,” the resident stated. Tragically, Suleman’s two wives and seven children were also kidnapped.
Military Needs to Do More
The Nigerian military has made significant strides in combating terrorism and banditry, but more needs to be done to ensure the security of the state. According to Moriki, “The Nigerian Army, Air Force, Civil Defence Corps, and intelligence units have improved their coordination and effectiveness” under the leadership of Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa.
“The military has killed the overall commander of the terrorists, Halilu Sububu; it has killed Sani Black. In fact, over 30 terrorists’ top commanders have been taken out,” Moriki noted. However, he emphasized that the military must not only focus on targeting top terror kingpins but also ensure control over territories previously occupied by terrorists and bandits.
“The military, by going after top terror kingpins, has also forgotten that it needs to hold on to the huge swath of lands once occupied by the terrorists/bandits,” Moriki said. To achieve this, he recommends that “at least, let the Civil Defence arm of the military be stationed in every county and let them be heavily armed.”
Need for Comprehensive Strategies to Combat Terrorism
Similarly, Muhammed Ibrahim, a conflict researcher at the Institute for Security Studies in Abuja, said, “Nigeria’s ongoing insurgencies in the Northwest, Northeast, and Northcentral regions require a comprehensive strategy.”
Ibrahim noted that investing in education, healthcare, and economic development is crucial in preventing the spread of extremist ideologies.
“This is because poverty, inequality, and unemployment create fertile ground for extremist groups to recruit and manipulate vulnerable individuals,” he explained.
He further stressed that by addressing these underlying issues, the government can reduce the appeal of extremist ideologies and create opportunities for economic growth and social mobility.
“Building trust with local communities is essential in stabilizing affected areas,” Ibrahim said. This can be achieved through community policing and economic empowerment, which recognize that security is not solely a military concern but also requires the active participation and cooperation of local communities.
Regional Cooperation
The conflict researcher further noted that Nigeria needs more regional cooperation with countries like Chad, Niger, Cameroon, and Benin Republic to stem the influx of foreign terrorists into the country.
“Regional cooperation with neighboring countries, such as Cameroon, Niger, and Chad, is also essential in addressing the cross-border dimensions of insurgency,” Ibrahim said.
However, as Ibrahim points out, “Tackling corruption remains a significant challenge that must be addressed to ensure lasting peace.” Despite government efforts, skepticism about the prospects for lasting peace persists, underscoring the need for a sustained and comprehensive approach to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
