JUST IN: ISWAP, Terrorists Ban Naira Transaction in Lake Chad, Makes New Rule

JUST IN: ISWAP, Terrorists Ban Naira Transaction in Lake Chad, Makes New Rule

  • The recent move by the Nigerian government to redesign the nation's currency has thrown the Islamic State of the West African Province into a state of confusion
  • ISWAP in a recent move has banned the use of the naira as a means of transaction in the Lake Chad region
  • According to the terrorists, intend to replace the Nigerian Naira with CFA as the currency of trade in the region

The Shura Council of the Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP) has banned naira transactions from farmers and fishermen following the recent move by the Federal Government of Nigeria to redesign the nation's currencies.

PM News reports that the move by the Nigerian government has thrown the terrorist organisation into a state of confusion over the FG's plan.

Troops, Military in Nigeria, ISWAP, Lake Chad region
Terrorists have banned every transaction in Nigeria across the Lake Chad region. Photo: Nigerian Army

The Nigerian government has earlier announced its plan to redesign the N200, N500 and N1,000 notes with the new designs hitting the banks by December 15.

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The announcement which was made by the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria said that the move was aimed at controlling inflation and combating activities of criminal elements behind the financing of terror activities across the country.

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According to Godwin Emefiele, the new notes will be in circulation from December 15, and all existing old and new currencies are to remain legal tender until January 31.

ISWAP is in a state of confusion

However, in its state of confusion, the terrorist group operating around the Lake Chad region will now find it difficult to spend or even change their money into the new currency notes considering their distance from bank branches and raising suspicion.

According to the report, an intelligence source told Zagazola Makama, a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region, that the insurgents are now accepting transactions in the West African CFA Francs.

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It said that the terrorists now intend to replace the Nigerian Naira with CFA as the currency of trade in the area.

The source also said that the leadership of ISWAP banned all Nigerian fishermen, herdsmen, and farmers from sneaking into Lake Chad through Marte, Abadam, and Gamborun Ngala in order to prevent the Naira from reaching the camps of the terrorists in Lake Chad.

ISWAP militant commanders in charge of taxes and levies, Ibn Umar and Malam Ba’ana, who imposed the ban, said the people were only allowed to come through safe routes established by the terror group through Bulgaram, Cikka, Guma, Maltam, Doron Liman and Ramin Dorina, villages in the Cameroon Republic.

In addition, to the new directive, ISWAP collects 1,500 West African CFA Francs, monthly taxes from the people who appear very willing to pay.

They have also secured trade routes for merchants, to enable them access foodstuffs, weapons, fuel, and other logistics.

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Millionaire bandit commander gunned down by security operatives

The Kaduna state government said security forces have ambushed and neutralised a notorious bandits’ commander known as ‘Dogo Maikasuwa’.

According to the government, the criminal is responsible for terrorising the Kaduna-Kachia road, Chikun and Igabi local councils.

The bandit and his gang ran into an ambush laid by security forces and after a fierce battle, they successfully neutralised the bandits' leader in the Gengere-Kaso general area.

'Allow us flush bandits out of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway bushes,' Gani Adams charges 3 key governors

Meanwhile, the Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Gani Adams on Friday, November 11, urged three governors of the southwest region to allow the newly inaugurated Oodua People's Congress (OPC) dependable team and the South West Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG) to flush kidnappers out of their hideouts along Lagos-Ibadan Express Way.

Adams in a statement received by Legit.ng expressed concern over the incessant attacks on travellers plying the road.

In the statement signed by Kehinde Aderemi, his special assistant on media, Adams noted that since the police had failed to honour the earlier arrangements to provide effective security along the road, it is pertinent to ask the governors to allow the local security networks to take charge across the region.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Nnenna Ibeh avatar

Nnenna Ibeh Nnenna Ibeh is a journalist with over 10 years of experience with various media organisations including Premium Times. Being on the front burner of reporting politics and the different dimensions of governance, she is also passionate about girls' education and women's and children's health. With degrees in Journalism, Peace Studies & Conflict Res., and Dev. Studies, Nnenna has worked in the dev. sector as a communications officer for the Centre for Democracy and Dev. email: ibehnnenna@gmail.com