Boko Haram still a major threat to peace in Nigeria, says EU

The European Union says Boko Haram insurgency remains a major threat to peace and security in the north-east.

Stefania Marrone, head of regional cooperation, European Union delegation to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), said this in Abuja on Monday at the opening of a three-day workshop organised for journalists by the ECOWAS Commission.

Marrone also said acts of terrorism were hindering efforts towards enhancing democracy in various countries across West Africa.

She said while there has been satisfactory progress in democracy in West Africa, peace and security in the region “continues to be confronted with very serious threats including radicalisation leading to terrorism, instability and insurgency in the Sahel as well as here in Nigeria with the menace of Boko Haram”.

The Boko Haram insurgency has persisted in the north-east for about 10 years, leading to the loss of many lives and displacement of millions.

The federal government and the Nigerian army have at various times said the group has been degraded and does not occupy any territory in the country.

But a report by Reuters in May claimed the Islamic State in West African (ISWA), a faction that split out of the Boko Haram sect, is in control of some territories in the north-east.