Nigerian Army Warns of Pakistani Support to Boko Haram and ISWAP
Maiduguri – Nigeria’s military has raised alarm over increasing foreign involvement in the country’s growing security crisis, with four Pakistani nationals recently arrested for allegedly aiding terrorist groups through arms trafficking and tactical support.
Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the theatre commander of Operation Hadin Kai, disclosed that foreign mercenaries, including those from Pakistan, are contributing to a dangerous shift in the operational capabilities of terror groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Speaking during a media tour in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, Abubakar warned that these foreign actors are arming and training local terrorist factions, resulting in more sophisticated and deadly attacks on Nigerian forces.
“The infiltration of foreign mercenaries in the joint operations area has significantly escalated the threat posed by terrorist groups like ISWAP and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS),” Abubakar told reporters, as quoted by The Cable.
According to military sources, the four Pakistani nationals were detained over suspected links to terrorism and arms smuggling. Their arrests underscore the growing international dimension of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism challenge.
“These individuals were allegedly involved in supplying arms to terrorist groups,” Abubakar revealed, warning that this external support is enabling jihadist groups to adapt modern battlefield tactics.
Among the enhanced tactics observed are the use of drones for surveillance and attacks, production of advanced improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and the laying of strategic ambushes designed to inflict maximum casualties on troops.
Abubakar noted that beyond providing weaponry, the foreign mercenaries are delivering both strategic and tactical training, allowing insurgents to conduct more coordinated and lethal operations. “The growing influence of these mercenaries is evident in the terrorists’ increased sophistication, leading to higher troop casualties and significant equipment losses,” he stated.
He further warned that Nigeria’s fight is no longer against local insurgents alone but against a transnational terror network that is receiving material and strategic support from external actors.
The commander emphasized the urgency of a coordinated regional response, calling for enhanced intelligence-sharing, surveillance, and tighter cross-border security cooperation with neighboring countries.
“Boko Haram and ISWAP are not just fighting our armed forces; they are waging war against Nigeria itself,” Abubakar asserted.
Northern Nigeria has been plagued by insurgency for over a decade, but the involvement of foreign mercenaries—particularly from regions like Pakistan—marks a disturbing evolution in the conflict, demanding swift and unified international action.
