Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM claims first Nigeria attack amid regional expansion

Al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has carried out its first known attack in Nigeria, targeting a security post in Kwara State near the Benin border and killing one soldier while seizing ammunition and cash. This marks a significant expansion of JNIM’s operations, which had previously been confined to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, with recent increased activity in northern Benin. The attack highlights the vulnerabilities created by Nigeria’s porous borders with Benin and Niger, through which jihadist groups are extending their reach. Nigeria is already grappling with multiple security threats from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), putting immense strain on the military. In response, President Bola Tinubu has recently overhauled the military leadership and urged new chiefs to be proactive in combating emerging threats across various regions. Security experts warn that the expansion of JNIM poses a new frontline in regional terrorism, necessitating urgent and enhanced security measures.