Maiduguri, Nigeria – In northeastern Nigeria, an ongoing military operation against insurgent groups, including Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), has resulted in intense clashes and escalating violence. Since December 7, 2024, military forces have been engaged in fierce combat with armed militants, who have been attacking villages and ambushing military convoys.

The Nigerian military has deployed airstrikes and ground troops in an effort to push back the insurgents from their strongholds in the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas. Despite the use of heavy artillery and tactical operations, the insurgents have maintained a strong presence, carrying out suicide bombings and hit-and-run attacks. Local authorities report that at least 42 civilians have been killed, and more than 300 others have been displaced in the last two days alone.

The humanitarian situation in the region is dire. Aid organizations have struggled to provide food, water, and medical assistance due to the ongoing conflict. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that the number of displaced persons in Nigeria’s northeast could exceed 2 million by the end of 2024 if the violence continues.

A coalition of local militias has also joined the fight, leading to tensions within the local community. Some civilians accuse the Nigerian military of human rights violations, including the killing of unarmed civilians and the destruction of villages suspected of harboring insurgents. This has led to widespread protests in towns like Maiduguri, where civilians are calling for greater protection and accountability.

The Nigerian government, under President Bola Tinubu, has vowed to continue military operations until all insurgent groups are dismantled. However, the scale of the insurgency and the complex nature of the conflict have raised doubts about the government’s ability to restore order to the region in the short term.

Sources: Nigerian military spokesperson, humanitarian organizations, eyewitness reports.