Before recent events thrust it into national and global consciousness, Sambisa Forest was best known for its vast landscape and ecological importance.
The forest, whose primary location lies in Borno State, stretches across parts of Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe and Bauchi States, extends northwards into areas of Jigawa and Kano States. It is the largest forest in north-eastern Nigeria.
Historically, Sambisa Forest served as a game reserve and tourist destination.
However, it later became infamous as a major hideout and operational base for the Boko Haram insurgent group. Its story is marked by a dramatic transformation from a colonial-era reserve known for wildlife and leisure to a fortified battleground central to Nigeria’s counter-insurgency efforts.
The British colonial administration first gazetted Sambisa Forest as a reserve in 1958. In 1977, it was re-gazetted as a National Game Reserve, attracting tourists with its rich wildlife population, including elephants, lions, leopards and hyenas. Facilities developed for tourism and training purposes were later abandoned, creating vulnerabilities that were eventually exploited by insurgents.
Over time, Sambisa Forest shifted from a place of conservation and recreation to a terrorist haven. Boko Haram took advantage of the difficult terrain and abandoned infrastructure, turning the forest into one of its strongest operational bases.
Today, Sambisa Forest remains a contested zone. The Nigerian military continues sustained clearance operations against remnants of Boko Haram and its rival faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Through operations such as Operation Hadin Kai, troops have recorded notable successes, including the rescue of captives and the seizure of weapons and logistics. Despite these gains, the area still requires a significant military presence to prevent insurgent regrouping.
The True State of Sambisa Forest Today
The tide has gradually shifted as the Nigerian Army, working alongside the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), intensifies operations to clear terrorist strongholds. Insurgents have been forced to flee or abandon bases in areas such as Garin Glucose and Ukuba.
Military operations have led to the rescue of numerous hostages, who are provided with immediate medical attention, food and psychosocial support before being transferred for longer-term care. These efforts underscore the humanitarian dimension of the ongoing campaign.
Notably, Sambisa Forest, once a wildlife sanctuary, has now become a major theatre in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism. There are indications that some cleared areas may eventually be repurposed for military training and security operations.
The Nigerian Army continues to step up efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and restore stability to the region. While progress has been recorded, Sambisa Forest remains a critical and heavily militarised zone in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency campaign.
As long as Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to operate within areas such as the Timbuktu Triangle, where they have maintained a notorious presence for years, Sambisa Forest is likely to remain under sustained military pressure. Its journey from a game reserve to a focal point of national security efforts reflects both Nigeria’s challenges and its resolve in confronting insurgency.
Source: Wikipedia
