Finally, Nigeria National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd) has revealed that three religious groups are backing terrorism in the country.
Monguno stated this at the 14th Workshop of the League of Ulamas, Preachers and Imams of Sahel countries in Abuja.
The NSA listed the groups as Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), Islamic and Muslim Support Group (IMSG), and Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS).
“It is bolstered by activities of groups such as Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), the Islamic and Muslim Support Group (GSIM) and ISGS, which have continued to pose an imminent threat to the stability of the region.
“In Nigeria, Boko-Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) dominate terrorist activities, especially in the North-Eastern part of the country.
“The situation in the Sahel has never been grimmer, extremist violence continues to spread; the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) is growing, and food insecurity is affecting more people than ever before.”
The NSA appealed to Islamic preachers and Imams to deploy their vantage positions to canvas support for ongoing counter-terrorism operations, saying alliances between the clerics and security forces “should be the backbone to rebuilding our terrorism infested communities”.
He said the possibility of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) creating an established caliphate to rival Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) countries has been checked, adding that “there’s no gun more powerful than enlightenment and education at the grass-root level.”
The groups have not responded to his claim.
