Nigeria, April 20 -- Mass killings, abductions and roadside bombs in recent weeks point to a dangerous escalation of violent extremism in the Borgu-Kainji axis along Nigeria's western borders with Benin and Niger. These are not isolated events.

Continuing to respond narrowly and reactively risks repeating the shortcomings of the Lake Chad Basin counter-terrorism campaign, which fails to target the ecosystem enabling terrorists' operations, resilience and financing, even while preventing insurgent territorial control on the scale recorded in 2014-15.

In early February 2026, the Sadiku wing of Boko Haram's Jama'atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda'Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS) faction attacked Woro and Nuku villages in Kwara State's Kaiama Local Government Area...