Deep fear has long pervaded the arid savannah plains and highlands of north-western Nigeria - even before the US air strikes on the Islamist militants who have made this area their base on Christmas night. The heavily armed jihadists, who dress in camouflage and wear vibrant turbans, have lived in camps in Tangaza, a remote area of Sokoto state near the border with Niger, for several years. They belong to a group called Lakurawa and hail from areas north of Nigeria in the Sahel. Locals in Tangaza, a community made up of mainly moderate Muslims, believe they come from Niger and Mali - and are terrified of them. Recently, both US and Nigerian authorities have said the militants are affiliated with Islamic State (IS) groups in the Sahel - though IS has not linked itself to any of the group's activities or announced ties to Lakurawa as it has done with other groups in the region that it backs. When the BBC visited Nukuru, a remote village near the US missile strikes, most people were deeply suspicious and reluctant to talk about Lakurawa due to fears of reprisal. Following a police escort into the dangerous area, residents expressed their fear that the militants would regroup despite the US and Nigerian military operations. With government presence minimal and little infrastructure to support the community, residents feel trapped. They have reported that the militants have imposed harsh rules, enforcing a strict interpretation of Islamic law and demanding taxes from villagers. Locals are left voicing their discontent, stating that life has become dictated by these militants, who are often seen moving freely throughout the area armed and on motorbikes. The situation underscores the complexity of Nigeria's security landscape, where overlapping layers of violence from various groups leave communities struggling for safety and stability.