By Erewunmi Peace

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has revealed that Boko Haram insurgents once permitted Fulani herdsmen to graze their livestock inside the Sambisa Forest before eventually driving them out.

Shettima made the comments while addressing northern stakeholders during a recent public engagement where he spoke on the evolving dynamics of insecurity in the North-East. According to him, the insurgent group initially coexisted with Fulani herders within the forest, which later became one of Boko Haram’s strongest hideouts and operational bases.

The Vice-President alleged that when Boko Haram fully settled inside the forest, the group “allowed the Fulani to graze their livestock,” but later turned against them as the conflict intensified. He said the militants eventually forced the herders out and seized their cattle.

Shettima referenced the situation while explaining long-standing tensions between herder communities and terror groups operating in forested regions of Borno and its surrounding areas.

Sambisa Forest has been the focal point of several military operations, including major offensives aimed at dislodging Boko Haram and rescuing abducted civilians. The forest, spanning several local government areas, has been a critical battleground since 2013.

Security analysts note that while some herders and local communities lived around the fringes of the forest before the peak of insurgency, there is no independent verification that Boko Haram officially permitted grazing as a coordinated arrangement. However, Shettima’s claim reflects the complex relationship between local populations and insurgent groups over the past decade.

The Vice-President emphasized that efforts to restore peace in the region must include understanding these past experiences and addressing long-standing grievances among affected communities.