A former Joint Task Force (JTF) commander, Dr. Isma’il Tanko Wudilawa, has raised concerns over the growing role of women in supporting terrorist operations in northern Nigeria.
Speaking in an interview, Wudilawa said intensified military offensives have pushed insurgents into remote areas, forcing them to rely more on civilian networks, particularly women, for logistics and intelligence.
According to him, women are now being used to transport food, clothing, medicines, and, in some cases, weapons to terrorists hiding in forest enclaves. He added that they also play key roles in gathering and relaying information about targeted individuals and community movements.
Recent arrests in Borno State highlight the trend. Authorities reportedly apprehended a 65-year-old woman in Askira Uba with cannabis allegedly meant for insurgents, while another woman was arrested in Kukawa with supplies reportedly intended for a suspected ISWAP member.
Wudilawa noted that terrorist groups exploit the trust communities place in women, making them effective couriers and informants. He attributed their involvement to factors such as poverty, illiteracy, and financial incentives but stressed that some women are coerced into participation.
He also criticized community resistance to security operations, warning that interference undermines efforts to combat terrorism.
The security expert called on Nigerians to support law enforcement with timely intelligence and urged the government to address socio-economic challenges that make recruitment into terrorism and related crimes more appealing.
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