Insurgency corridor emerges across Nigeria, Niger and Benin
Mar 10th 2026
Sahelian and local jihadist groups and bandit gangs are linking up across a sparsely governed tri-border area in northwest Nigeria and neighboring Niger and Benin, exploiting forests and weak state presence to expand operations and threaten regional stability.
- The Kebbi-Kainji-Borgu triangle spans parts of Nigeria's Kebbi, Sokoto, Niger and Kwara states and crosses into Niger's Dosso region and Benin's Alibori department.
- Actors include local jihadist factions such as Mahmudawa and a Sadiku faction of Boko Haram, criminal bandit gangs, and Sahelian groups including JNIM and an IS Sahel-affiliated force sometimes called Lakurawa.
- Armed groups are using forest reserves, smuggling routes and porous borders to establish bases, levy taxes, appoint local leaders and recruit fighters.
- JNIM has claimed attacks in Nigeria and IS Sahel-linked groups have expanded operations across Sokoto and Kebbi, with Lakurawa also targeted by a US strike.
- Analysts report varying degrees of cooperation and deconfliction among groups rather than a single unified command, which increases their operational freedom.
- Nigeria's military is stretched by multiple conflicts and weak regional coordination, prompting experts to call for improved border security and rebuilding trust with local communities to contain the corridor.