Nigeria–Boko Haram/ISWAP Conflict

Current Status

ongoing

Situation 2026

Active insurgent operations continue across northeastern Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin with frequent attacks on military installations, villages, and civilian targets. ISWAP and Boko Haram factions conduct raids, ambushes, and suicide bombings. The Nigerian military maintains counter-insurgency operations with support from regional forces, though territorial control remains contested. Recent years have seen shifting dynamics between the two militant groups, including periods of conflict between them.

Background

The Nigeria–Boko Haram conflict began in 2009 when the militant group Boko Haram launched an insurgency in northeastern Nigeria against the government and Western influence. In 2016, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) emerged as a splinter faction, creating a multi-front conflict. The insurgency has expanded across the Lake Chad Basin affecting Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, driven by religious extremism, territorial control, and resource competition.

Humanitarian Impact

The conflict has displaced over 2 million people across the region, with widespread food insecurity affecting millions more. Attacks on civilians, schools, and healthcare facilities have caused significant casualties. Sexual violence, forced recruitment, and child abductions remain prevalent. Access for humanitarian aid is severely restricted in conflict zones, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis across Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.

Outlook

The conflict is likely to persist in the medium term despite military operations. Factors suggesting continuation include ungoverned spaces providing safe havens, recruitment from displaced populations, cross-border mobility, and ideological commitment. Potential for expansion into neighboring regions exists. Regional cooperation and addressing underlying grievances remain critical for long-term resolution.

Key Actors