Amid mounting pressure on security agencies to confront the cross-border dimension of terrorism in Nigeria, Nasarawa State locals have identified a vast network of forest corridors, transit routes and temporary camps allegedly used by terrorists and armed bandits operating across the North-Central region.
The residents say the porous boundary communities and thick forest belts stretching across Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Niger and Kwara states have steadily evolved into strategic movement corridors for armed groups — enabling them to launch attacks, regroup and retreat with little resistance from security forces.
President of the United Farmers Association, Kadarko, in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Chief Denen Gbongbon, disclosed that communities in Obi, Keana and Doma local councils, have, for years, served as transit points and camps for armed groups heading toward Benue.
According to him, “For a long time now, Obi, Keana and Doma have been serving as transit routes and even temporary camps for these bandits. The routes are very clear. They are not hidden. In Kadarko, which is in Keana LGA, the major roads are between Keana and Doma. They come in through Barkin Coaltar, penetrate toward Torkura and from there move straight into Benue.”
The community leader pointed out that the Akala forest in Obi LGA, which connects to Keana, functions as a major staging ground.
“They camp in Akala forest. That forest connects Keana too. They have camps there. From there, they connect through Akeleku Sidi, Akaba, Ahume; all these communities are in Obi LGA, and there are contiguous bushes linking Kadarko where they also have camps,” he told Vanguard.
Describing their movement pattern, he added: “They follow a valley behind Agyragu. The abandoned railway corridor has become a strategic pathway. They pass between Ude and Yelwata through the abandoned railway station. They follow the rail tracks into Benue axis and begin to expand from there,” he alleged.
Gbongbon further disclosed that local farmers and villagers frequently sight the gunmen moving in groups, adding that “as they are moving, we are seeing them. Sometimes they carry arms openly. Sometimes they come with cattle. At other times, they ride Bajaj motorcycles, three persons per bike, following that same route.”
He said community members often provide intelligence to security agencies, but lamented what he described as lack of decisive follow-up.
“People in the farms see them and give us information. We pass the information to security. But it appears security is not ready to follow up. That is their major route; they keep passing there,” he said, insisting that authorities cannot claim ignorance.
“Government is fully aware. We have written severally to the Nasarawa State Government, to the local governments, to the governor himself and to every security architecture, including the media. So, how can the government pretend not to be aware?” he queried.
