In a dramatic development that underscores Nigeria’s evolving security environment, the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps) has apprehended 39 suspected terrorists who reportedly fled Sokoto State following Christmas Day airstrikes conducted by the United States military in northwest Nigeria. This arrest comes amid heightened counter-terrorism cooperation between Washington and Abuja, a surge in security operations across Nigeria’s south-west, and growing concerns over the mobility of armed groups across regional borders.
Background: US Airstrikes in Sokoto State
On December 25, 2025, the United States military launched airstrikes targeting Islamic State-linked militants in Sokoto State, a strategic location in northwest Nigeria that has long been a hub for armed non-state actors. These strikes marked one of the most assertive US military actions in West Africa in recent years and were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities under a broader counterterrorism strategy.
According to defense and government sources, the airstrikes targeted militant camps allegedly associated with the Islamic State – West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other extremist factions operating across the porous borders of Sahel countries and Nigeria. The Nigerian government confirmed coordination with US Africa Command (AFRICOM), describing the operation as part of a broader effort to disrupt extremist networks that threaten both Nigerian and regional stability.
Although the airstrikes reportedly neutralized several militant targets, local reactions were mixed. Some residents expressed alarm at the strikes’ intensity and questioned the extent of extremist presence in certain northern communities, highlighting the complex intersection of insecurity, insurgency, and local grievances in Nigeria’s northwest.
The Ondo Arrests: What Happened?
In the wake of the Sokoto airstrikes, Ondo State’s Amotekun Corps reported a significant law enforcement operation within the dense Elegbeka forest reserve located in Ose Local Government Area. During ember-month patrols—part of a seasonal intensification of security efforts—the Corps apprehended 39 individuals suspected of fleeing insecurity in Sokoto and attempting to establish hideouts in the Ondo forests.
According to Chief Adetunji Adeleye, the Commander of the Amotekun Corps in Ondo State, the suspects were not merely passing through but were found “hibernating” deep inside the forest, with their transportation vehicles parked at a distance to evade detection. Adeleye highlighted Elegbeka as a known hotspot for criminal activity, including kidnapping and armed robbery, and explained that the Corps has maintained a permanent control post in the area to deter such threats.
The suspects, who reportedly claimed they fled northern Nigeria due to increased military pressure after the Christmas Day airstrikes, are currently undergoing profiling and further investigation to determine their identities, motives, and potential links to organized terrorist networks. Those found with incriminating materials are expected to face prosecution under Nigerian law.
Expanded Security Operations: Ember-Month Patrols and Broader Arrests
The arrest of the 39 suspects occurred within the context of a larger ember-month security strategy deployed by Amotekun across Ondo State. This seasonal operation, which culminates in increased patrols across all 18 local government areas, yielded approximately 100 arrests in total, encompassing a wide spectrum of alleged offences—from general lawbreaking to violent crimes.
Among those paraded alongside the 39 suspected insurgents were individuals detained for offenses including:
Breaches of public order and peace
Violations of anti-open grazing regulations
Kidnapping-related activities
Gender-based violence and rape
A breakdown of these arrests underscores the multi-faceted security challenges facing Ondo State, reflecting a mix of criminality and potential insurgent movements that demand robust, coordinated responses.
Amotekun Commander Adeleye also revealed that certain suspects not presented during the parade were arrested in neighboring Ogun State and brought back to Ondo for investigation, signalling enhanced inter-state collaboration among security agencies in the south-west.
Interstate and Regional Security Implications
The movement of suspected terrorists from Sokoto in the north-west to Ondo in the south-west highlights a worrying trend: armed groups and fugitives exploiting Nigeria’s sprawling forests and porous inter-regional pathways to escape pressure from military operations. Analysts warn that such dynamics heighten the risk of security spillovers across regions, challenging conventional assumptions about geographically contained insurgency.
While Nigeria’s north-east has traditionally been the epicenter of jihadist violence and Boko Haram insurgency, recent years have seen an uptick in militant activity and banditry in the north-west, involving groups like ISWAP and the Lakurawa faction, which have established strongholds in parts of Sokoto and neighboring states.
The arrest of the 39 suspects raises critical questions for Nigerian policymakers and security experts:
How accurate are claims that extremist militants are relocating en masse to avoid military action?
Are forest reserves across the south-west being used as staging grounds for criminal and insurgent networks?
What mechanisms are in place to prevent new security threats from emerging far from traditional conflict zones?
These questions reflect broader concerns about the fluid nature of insurgent strategies and the need for adaptive security frameworks that integrate federal, state, and community-based responses.
Amotekun’s Role: Strengthening Local Security Architecture
Since its inception, the Amotekun Corps has served as a critical supplement to Nigeria’s national security apparatus—especially in southwest states where local knowledge, rapid response, and community trust are crucial. Established to combat kidnapping, banditry, and other violent crime, the Corps has increasingly taken on more complex tasks involving intelligence gathering, patrol operations, and collaborative engagements with federal agencies.
In the case of the Sokoto-linked arrests, Amotekun’s proactive forest patrols and strategic positioning within forest corridors proved instrumental in uncovering and detaining suspected foreign elements. Its efforts reflect a broader south-west commitment to regional security resilience, particularly at a time when threats can easily transcend state boundaries and exploit gaps in coordination.
Political and Public Reactions
The unfolding events have provoked a mix of reactions from political leaders, security analysts, and civil society groups:
Supporters of the U.S-Nigeria partnership have heralded the airstrikes as a necessary step in disrupting militant operations that have plagued northern Nigeria for years.
Critics of foreign military involvement caution that external intervention may complicate Nigeria’s sovereignty and engender long-term consequences if not paired with comprehensive domestic strategies.
Local stakeholders in Ondo State have praised Amotekun for acting decisively to safeguard communities and prevent potential incursions into the southwest.
Looking Ahead: Post-Ember Security Strategy
As ember-month patrols conclude and Amotekun prepares for Operation Le Won Jade Phase Two—a renewed phase of intensified security operations from January 1—stakeholders emphasise the need for sustained vigilance. Enhancing intelligence frameworks, bolstering forest surveillance, and fortifying inter-agency cooperation will be essential in mitigating the risk of armed groups exploiting seasonal transitions and geographic vulnerabilities.
In conclusion, the arrests made in Ondo State are not merely isolated law enforcement victories—they are symptomatic of a dynamic, interconnected security landscape where local, national, and international forces converge in the fight against insurgency and criminality. As Nigeria continues to navigate these complex threats, the success of operations like Amotekun’s will depend on strategic clarity, robust community engagement, and adaptable partnerships that rise to meet the evolving nature of insecurity.
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