REVEALED: How Boko Haram Militants Are Spreading In Nigeria
In spite of joint effort by the Federal Government and the international communities to find an end to terrorism and kidnapping in Nigeria, it has been revealed how the Boko Haram sect is opening new frontier in northern part of the country.
According to an investigative report carried out by Daily Trust, the terror group is believed to be opening new border lines in Bauchi and Jigawa states by setting up camps in forests, infiltrating rural communities, engaging in recruitment drive and launching regular attacks in towns and villages.
The report stated that at least 15 towns and villages in the two states have seen presence of suspected Boko Haram men, who move around freely wielding guns, preaching their strand of religion and trying to financially induce young men to join the sect.
Villagers were quoted saying the “strange” men were first noticed late last year and that despite the fact that they reported the matter to authorities, little seemed to have been done since then.
Hence, the group’s numerical strength appeared to have grown and deadly attacks have been launched in many towns and villages in the two states.
It was gathered that the presence of the terrorists is also blamed for several cases of kidnapping-for-ransom recorded in some of the areas. In one instance, up to N20 million was said to have been paid to secure the release of an abducted man.
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For those who are not aware, Bauchi and Jigawa states are neighbours to Yobe and Borno, the hotbed of Boko Haram activity in the past four years.
According to the investigations, Jigawa villages that have seen Boko Haram presence and activity in varying degrees include Gwani, Kadale, Zimburun, Fagam, Basirka and Tage villages, all in Gwaram Local Government Area.
In Bauchi, places affected include Shadarki, Dodwu, Soro and Miya in Ganjuwa LGA; Yelwan Darazo, Shadarki and Darazo in Darazo LGA; Burra in Ningi LGA; as well as in Jama’are and Itas-Gadau LGAs.
Residents of these communities, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told newsmen that the insurgents have established themselves in Balmo Forest in Darazo LGA and Yuga Forest, in Ganjuwa.
No fewer than 1,000 insurgents are estimated to be camped in the forests. But this claim could not be independently verified.
Only last week, the Jgawa State government announced that 60 insurgents were killed in the bushes by the Joint Task Force while a spokesman for the Jigawa State Government, Umar Kyari, said government had been proactive on security situation.
Source: Legit.ng
