Buhari: Boko Haram has close links with ISIL

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said the Boko Haram sect has a close link with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

According to a statement issued by Femi Adesina, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Buhari said this at the presidential villa in Abuja during a farewell ceremony held in honour of Tom Amolo, high commissioner of Kenya to Nigeria.

The president was quoted as saying ending insurgency in Africa will require stronger collaboration and commitment from governments, financial institutions and security agencies.

Buhari said terrorist attacks on the continent bear similar trademarks of intense planning, strong alliances and proper financial sponsorship, which must be thoroughly investigated and reversed.

‘‘Terrorist activities always have financial sponsorship and this can be seen in their acquisition of weapons, their movements and other logistics,” the statement read.

“Here in Nigeria, we saw that Boko Haram had strong material resources and they had a close link to ISIL.”

Buhari also said African governments must make efforts to dissuade the younger generation from joining the ranks of terrorist groups, who explore youthful minds for suicide bombings.

‘‘We need a whole cultural orientation in order to succeed against terrorism,’’ he added.

In his remarks, Amolo said he enjoyed his stay in Nigeria and still looked forward to returning to the country in the near future.