Fresh international report based on the gathered intelligence adds to the growing concerns that the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Nigeria’s Boko Haram have established direct links.
Leadership reports with reference to the recently published article by The Independent that the ISIS, notorious worldwide for its bloody activities, advises the dreaded insurgents operating in Nigeria on strategy and tactics.
According to the quote derived from the British report,
“Intelligence agencies are concerned that what were once symbolic links between ISIS and Boko Haram have now developed into a practical relationship with the Islamic State offering advice on strategy and tactics.”
It also states that following a series of successful seizures of towns in the North-East of the country, Boko Haram was “beginning to operate more like a conventional army in Borno and the neighbouring north-eastern states of Adamawa and Yobe”.
While the Nigerian military denies the breach of territorial integrity by insurgents and assures citizens of carrying out heavy counter-attacks, Nigeria Security Network (organization comprised of experts and academics) explains that “unless swift action is taken, Nigeria could be facing a rapid takeover of a large area of its territory reminiscent of Isis’s lightning advances in Iraq”, The Independent provides.
The report stressed the fact of serious interference after “a senior politician in Borno admitted that civil life in the state, home to three million people, has all but ground to a halt”.
In this statement the journalist apparently refers to the speech of the Secretary to Borno State Government (SSG) Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda, who declared on Monday that the substantial part of the state had been occupied by Boko Haram. He also lamented that the militants had basically paralyzed economic, commercial and social life in Borno.
It would be noted that talks alleging the close connection between the similarity of activities used by the ISIS and Boko Haram started making rounds after the Nigeria’s sect leader Abubakar Shekau had released the video where he claimed captured Gwoza town part of Islamic Caliphate.
It was suggested that Shekau imitated the ISIS moves, carrying out similar executions, kidnaps and finally attempting to establish caliphate in the seized territories.
Fears intensify as Boko Haram continue seizing new areas. According to the latest update provided by the Federal Government yesterday, the military recaptured the town of Bama following a week of violent fights with the insurgents. However some territories still remain under the militants’ control.
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