A security expert and former Joint Task Force (JTF) commander, Dr. Isma’il Tanko Wudilawa, has argued that terrorists now capitalize on the vulnerability of women to achieve their targets in northern Nigeria. He revealed that the groups are increasingly exploiting women to transport supplies, gather intelligence, and support their operations.
Speaking with DAILY POST, Wudilawa said military offensives have forced many terrorists into remote hideouts across the region, forcing them to depend largely on civilian networks, including women, for logistics and communication.
He stated further that women are now being used to transport food, clothing, medicines, weapons, and sometimes even other women to terrorists hiding in forests.
DAILY POST recalls recent arrests of women allegedly linked to terrorist logistics in Borno State.
Hauwa Abulazeez, 65, was reportedly arrested in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State with 14 compressed blocks of cannabis allegedly meant to be supplied to terrorists.
Similarly, Kellu Abba, 50, was arrested in Kukawa Local Government Area with food items and personal belongings allegedly being taken to her son, identified as a suspected member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Reacting to the development, Wudilawa said women have continued to play different roles in terrorist networks, particularly in intelligence gathering.
“All these atrocities are committed with the support of women from the very beginning.
“All the things we do, we do with women. They know our routines.
“Till today, women are used as informants. They provide information about the movements of targeted individuals within and outside communities,”
