The
Islamic State in West Africa network operating within some North Central and
South-South sections of Nigeria may be responsible for the recent killings
recorded in Benue State and other parts of the country.
This
information is said to be contained in an intelligence report presented to
President Muhammadu Buhari by security agencies, including the Department of
State Service.
A
top government official who spoke on the condition of anonymity told
journalists on Sunday that the security organisations told the President that
the ISWA network is using foreign terrorists and recruiting young men to fight
and kill innocent persons “ostensibly to exacerbate tensions along the county’s
ethnic, religious and regional fault lines.”
He
said the discovery was made following the arrest of several suspected attackers
made up of Fulani herdsmen, government-sponsored militias, militants and other
miscreants in Benue State.
Among
those in custody, according to the Presidency source, are many suspects who
cannot speak any Nigerian languages.
They
are, however, said to be fluent in French language.
He
added that this is the first time that security officials would be confirming
that the ISWA members are operating as a unit in Nigeria.
The
source said, “A good number of the Islamic State terrorists have been arrested
not only in the Benue valley but significantly in several towns in Edo State,
specifically in Akoko-Edo, Okpella and Benin as well as in Okene, in Kogi
State.
“It
is understood that the cell which has members in different parts of the country
concentrates on recruiting young men to fight for the Islamic State in West
Africa by unleashing the cold-blooded murder of innocent citizens.
“There
was intelligence that they had planned several attacks here, before and during
Christmas and the New Year. Their bombing targets included fuel depots,
foreign missions and police and military establishments.
“Their
network is very wide. But so much was achieved by the DSS which had made a
significant number of arrests in the last two months that helped to preempt
those attacks.
“This
helped to save Nigeria from the spate of major terrorist attacks witnessed
elsewhere that were syndicated by ISIS worldwide.”
He
added that the reports submitted to the Presidency revealed that security
officials now fear an influx of other ISIS members into many parts of the
country.
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