Abuja: Boko Haram is notorious for spreading terror from its base in northeastern Nigeria's Sambisa forest, which became a refuge for the group after they were expelled from populated areas like Maiduguri by the Nigerian military. Once a renowned game reserve, Sambisa has served as Boko Haram's operational hub for several years. Covering about 60,000 square kilometers, the forest extends across multiple northeastern states, including Borno, Yobe, Gombe, and Bauchi, and is close to the borders of Chad and Cameroon. According to Deutsche Welle, the strategy of using forests as hideouts has been replicated across Nigeria. In the northwest and central regions, forest reserves such as the Kainji, Kwiambana, Kamuku, and Alawa National Parks have also become sanctuaries for terrorist and bandit groups. Nigeria's forest reserves were originally protected lands, not designed for harboring terrorism. Despite existing laws to prevent resource exploitation, the government struggles with limited capacity to patrol these areas effectively. Ladd Serwat, an analyst from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) organization, explains that police and military forces often rely on roadblocks outside these forests to intercept illegal activities like logging. Malik Samuel, a senior researcher at Good Governance Africa, cites weak governance, corruption, and under-funding as reasons for forests being largely unmapped and unmonitored, creating opportunities for armed groups to exploit these ungoverned spaces. The terrain and isolation of these forests provide natural cover for terror groups, making them ideal for undetected operations. Samuel points out that the dense forest canopy complicates air surveillance efforts and allows these groups to conduct illicit trades that fund their activities. In the northeast, wildlife trafficking and illegal gold mining in these forests have long contributed to Boko Haram's funding, costing Nigeria billions annually. Communities near these reserves live in fear as armed groups impose taxes, kidnap for ransom, and force locals into labor. This insecurity has displaced farmers, exacerbating food insecurity and malnutrition in northern Nigeria. As these groups engage in illegal logging, mining, and wildlife trafficking, conservation efforts have suffered significantly. In a bid to reclaim these areas, the Nigerian government has trained over 7,000 forest guards to keep terror groups at bay. However, Serwat emphasizes that sustainable solutions require strengthening forest governance and improving local intelligence gathering. Heavy-handed military enforcement is costly and often counterproductive, and the needs of local populations must be prioritized to develop effective long-term strategies.