Abuja finally names sponsors as DSS announces crackdown
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Abuja on Tuesday came clean about Islamist groups who sponsor terror in Nigeria and across the Sahel region after months of denial and prevarication during which insecurity in Africa’s most populous nation has only got worse.
National Security Adviser (NSA) Babagana Monguno named Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), Islamic and Muslim Support Group (GSIM), and ISGS as terror sponsors as the security agencies also announced a crackdown.
The Department of State Services (DSS) put terrorists and kidnappers on notice but warned travellers, students, and politically exposed persons (PEPs) such as lawmakers to be security conscious and avoid being soft targets.
Monguno urged Islamic preachers and Imams to use their influence to canvas support for counter-insurgency, saying such alliance “should be the backbone to rebuilding our terrorism infested communities.”
He spoke in Abuja at the 14th Workshop of the League of Ulamas, Preachers and Imams of Sahel countries, per The Guardian (Nigeria).
“Terrorism and the rapid escalation of violent activities by militant Islamist groups in the Sahel since 2016 have been primarily driven by the Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS), which mainly operates in Mali and extends to the Niger Republic and Burkina Faso,” Monguno said.
“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.
“There are several not entirely congruent working hypothesis underpinning foreign and regional government strategies.”
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Strategy reassessment and reset
Monguno said it is imperative to reassess and reset the strategy towards the Sahel, setting aside faulty assumption.
He urged the international community and its Sahelian partners to prioritise governance, press for or pursue an expanded peace process, “cautiously through dialogue,” and push for more adoption of more “non-kinetic measures” through affected communities.
“Nonetheless, the possibility of Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) creating an established caliphate to rival Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) countries has been checkmated by series of concerted and reinvigorated efforts of the countries of the Region.
“The adoption of both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches by LCBC countries to stem the conflict has yielded tremendous success.
“The adoption of propaganda videos by terrorist groups to project themselves as contending powers in the region, is a mere attempt to garner support from sympathisers, as they struggle to maintain relevance.
“Thus, it is assessed that while the groups maintain the long term strategic goal of creating a caliphate, the efforts of LCBC countries will continue to frustrate that goal.
“In that regard, it is imperative that Ulamas, Preachers and Community Leaders in your localities key in to support efforts of our Security Forces, in order to end this menace.
“Just as collaborations between governments are boosting the advance of Security Forces in the fight against terrorism, alliances and group effort like LOPIS should be the backbone to rebuilding our terrorism infested communities.
“There’s no gun more powerful than enlightenment and education at the grass root level.”
DSS puts kidnappers, terrorists on notice
DSS Information Officer Peter Afunanya reiterated “that those who sponsor kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, insurgency and all kinds of attacks on security agents, civilians and vulnerable populations should have a rethink.
“These persons, whether in the North or South, know themselves. There is no doubt that they have crossed the lines and it is now time to crush them.
“Aside from students, recessing members of National Assembly/State Houses of Assembly and other public/private sector workers on vacation may be predisposed to threats of various degrees.
“This also applies to Nigerians who may travel within and from outside the country to join their loved ones for the celebrations.
“These individuals are susceptible to kidnapping, hijack, assassinations, armed robbery and political manipulations and so on, are advised to be security conscious, not to fall victims of these attacks and destructive political maneuvers.
“Therefore, religious and community leaders, hoteliers and operators of markets, parks, recreational and relaxation centres are to be at alert and watch strange movements and activities around their facilities.”
