National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), has accused three Islamic religious organisations of supporting activities of terror groups in Nigeria and other Sahel countries.
Monguno also described the use of propaganda videos by terrorist groups to project themselves as contending powers in the region as a mere attempt to get sympathy in their bid to ensure their continued relevance.
The NSA stated this while speaking in Abuja during the 14th Workshop of the League of Ulamas, Preachers and Imams of Sahel countries.
He identified such groups to include Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), Islamic and Muslim Support Group (IMSG), and Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS).
Monguno said, “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 Niger Republic and Burkina Faso.
“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.”
He, therefore, appealed to Islamic preachers and Imams to take advantage of their positions to canvas support for ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
Monguno stressed that the alliances between the clerics and security forces “should be the backbone to rebuilding our terrorism infested communities.”
The NSA, however, assured that the possibility of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) establishing a caliphate to rival Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) countries had been nullified.
“There’s no gun more powerful than enlightenment and education at the grassroots level,” Monguno said.
None of the three accused Islamic groups had responded as of the time of filing this report.