Terrorists operating along the Maiduguri-Monguno highway in northeastern Nigeria have been targeting trucks carrying food, seizing or burning their cargo, and sometimes distributing the stolen supplies to communities near their enclaves. This has been happening for over a year, with drivers and traders reporting multiple incidents of attacks and robbery. The terrorists, believed to be from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have been using this tactic to demonstrate their opposition to state authorities and frustrate food transportation to areas already facing food insecurity.
One of the drivers who was attacked, Alkali Muhammed, recounted his experience of being stopped by armed men on motorcycles while driving to Monguno with a truckload of maize. The men opened fire on his vehicle, hitting the right rear tyre, and then torched the truck, destroying the cargo. Alkali and his apprentice fled and walked for two hours before returning to Gajiram, where they found vehicles bound for Maiduguri and followed them home. This incident is just one of many reported cases of attacks on trucks carrying food along this route.
According to sources, including a former ISWAP member, the group deliberately targets government and humanitarian consignments while mostly sparing ordinary traders' goods. The terrorists seize cargo intercepted along the road and distribute it under a doctrine they call faihu, a concept in Islamic jurisprudence that allows the ruling authority to decide what to do with the property. This tactic has forced some drivers to avoid this route, increasing transportation costs for the limited food that reaches communities already facing food insecurity.
Traders and drivers who have been attacked have reported that the terrorists usually operate during office hours, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. They park their motorcycles on the road and wait for coming vehicles, directing drivers into the bush and telling them to offload their cargo. In some cases, the terrorists have their own vehicle and ask drivers to offload their cargo into it. This has led to a hidden economy, with foodstuffs taken from transporters being moved into areas controlled by terrorists.
The attacks have primarily targeted humanitarian and government relief materials, with trucks carrying ordinary traders' grain being stopped, offloaded, and waved on. Sources said traders suspected of links to politicians are also targeted. The government has routinely delivered relief items to areas affected by the conflict, including Bama, after the Government Senior Science Secondary School (GSSS) displacement camp there was shut down in July 2026.
The situation has led to increased transportation costs and a decrease in the amount of food reaching communities already facing food insecurity. Drivers and traders have reported that they are now more cautious when using this route, with some opting to avoid it altogether. This has further exacerbated the food insecurity situation in northeastern Nigeria, where many communities are already struggling to access basic necessities.
The Nigerian government and humanitarian organizations have been working to address the food insecurity situation in northeastern Nigeria, but the attacks on trucks carrying food have hindered these efforts. The government and humanitarian organizations need to find a way to secure the Maiduguri-Monguno highway and ensure that food reaches those who need it most.
Key points
- Terrorists are targeting trucks carrying food along the Maiduguri-Monguno highway in northeastern Nigeria.
- The attacks have primarily targeted humanitarian and government relief materials.
- The situation has led to increased transportation costs and a decrease in the amount of food reaching communities already facing food insecurity.
