Nigeria, Aug. 27 -- Terrorists have increased their violent campaigns in Kaduna, Niger, Kwara, Kano and Sokoto states, rustling livestock, abducting locals and displacing them.

The displacement is more worrisome in Kwara and Niger where a mix of covert insurgency and banditry has lingered for a long time.

This renewed violence has further put to test the effectiveness of counterterrorism efforts under the leadership of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

Mr Ribadu's leadership, coupled with interagency cooperation, including state-backed negotiations with bandits, had restored peace to some communities.

While counterterrorism efforts have resulted in successful operations that targeted terror cells and leaders, peace pacts in place...