In The shadow of Boko Haram’s relentless insurgency, northeastern Nigeria is bracing for a new wave of terror. The extremist group’s latest tactics have sent shockwaves through the region, leaving many to wonder what’s next.

For Aisha Umar, a resident of Maiduguri, the fear is palpable. “We’re living in constant fear,” she says. “We never know when the bombs will drop or the guns will start firing.”

Aisha’s story is not unique. Thousands of people in the region have been affected by the violence, displacement, and uncertainty that comes with living in a conflict zone. As Boko Haram’s attacks intensify, the Nigerian military is facing a daunting task: to protect its citizens and reclaim territory from the insurgents.

According to security experts, Boko Haram’s new tactics are making it increasingly difficult for the military to anticipate and respond to attacks. The group’s use of drones, coordinated attacks, and online propaganda has raised concerns about the effectiveness of current counter-terrorism strategies.

Recent figures released by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), show that the extremist group has launched about 333 attacks so far in 2025.

However, Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, a Nigeria-based private security firm, puts the number at 199 between January and September this year.

Speaking on the development, Dr. Kabiru Adamu, Chief Executive Officer of Beacon Security, told the BBC Hausa Service that Boko Haram has been refining old strategies while introducing new methods that make its operations more unpredictable and difficult to contain. He explained that the group has begun to rely more heavily on unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, which are now used for both intelligence gathering and offensive operations.

According to him, Boko Haram fighters deploy these drones to monitor the movement of troops and avoid direct confrontation, and in some cases, to carry out strikes on military or civilian targets. He, however, noted that while the insurgents have yet to fully master the technology, their increasing familiarity with drone warfare poses a serious challenge to security forces.

Adamu also revealed that the group has revived its old tactic of launching coordinated, multi-phase attacks in quick succession, combining bomb explosions with ground assaults and, in some instances, drone attacks to overwhelm security operatives. He added that Boko Haram recently demonstrated a new level of coordination by attacking three military bases simultaneously — two in Borno State and one in Yobe , marking the first time the group has executed such synchronized strikes.

On whether these new tactics have proved effective, Dr. Adamu said there are mixed indications. The Nigerian military recently claimed to have killed about 50 insurgents in one of the latest encounters, which suggests that some of Boko Haram’s attempts are being foiled. Yet, he noted that the insurgents have circulated images and videos online showing destroyed military vehicles and camps, indicating that the group may have also inflicted damage.

The security analyst attributed Boko Haram’s constant evolution to its strong links with international terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS). He said these parent bodies often share operational strategies and provide ideological guidance to their regional affiliates.

“Both Boko Haram and ISWAP draw from global terrorist networks that are constantly innovating,” he said, adding that some units within these organizations exist solely to research and develop new combat methods, which they then transmit to groups operating in Africa.

Dr. Adamu advised the Nigerian military to act proactively rather than reactively, stressing that troops should not wait for insurgents to unveil new tactics before preparing a response. He called for improved intelligence gathering to detect and disrupt plans before they are executed. He also urged authorities to focus on cutting off the group’s main survival channels, including its sources of funding, arms supplies, recruitment networks, and freedom of movement.

The expert further emphasized the importance of involving state governments and local communities in the fight against terrorism. According to him, some governors are not fully aware of the legal frameworks available for countering terrorism, and better coordination with them could enhance national security efforts.

Adamu maintained that for Nigeria to gain the upper hand, the military must constantly innovate, strengthen its intelligence systems, and anticipate the insurgents’ next moves. He warned that Boko Haram’s growing sophistication underscores the urgency of a more adaptive and intelligence-driven approach to counter-insurgency operations.