Monguno names three religious groups fuelling terrorism in Nigeria

Babagana Monguno, national security adviser (NSA), has named three religious groups fuelling terrorism in Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

The groups are Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), Islamic and Muslim Support Group (IMSG) and Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS).

Speaking at the 14th workshop of the league of ulamas, preachers and imams of sahel countries, on Tuesday, Monguno said terrorism and violent activities by militant Islamist groups in the sahel since 2016 is primarily driven by the ISGS.

He said the activities of these three groups have continued to pose a threat to the stability of the region.

“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,” he said.

“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.

“Thus, it is assessed that while the groups maintain the long-term strategic goal of creating a caliphate, the efforts of Lake Chad Basin Commission countries will continue to frustrate that goal.”

“In that regard, it is imperative that ulamas, preachers, and community leaders in your localities key in to support efforts of our security forces, in order to end this menace.”