Islamic state affiliate claim responsibility for attack in Nigeria

Islamic State affiliate known as IS West Africa Province have reportedly claimed responsibility for a roadside bomb attack that has killed 26 people in northeastern Nigeria, according to Africa News citing AP on April 30th.

According to police reports, the attack took place on a busy stretch of road connecting the towns of Rann and Gamboru in Borno state, near the border with Cameroon.

Speaking to AP, the Nigerian police spokesperson Nahum Daso said that most of those killed were local farmers and traders travelling in a Toyota pick up van that drove over a land mine however women and children were also killed in the attacks.

Responsibility has been claimed by an Islamic state affiliate in northeastern Nigeria however that has yet to be confirmed by local authorities.

The group broke away from the internationally notorious Boko Haram in 2016 after disputes over leadership.

This attack comes just days after the African Union called for cooperation in order to tackle the rising violence by jihadist groups in the Sahel region after recent attacks in the region.

Burkino Faso, Niger and Benin have suffered attacks from Islamic groups, with the latter announcing that over 54 soldiers were killed by Islamic insurgents during an attack on two military outposts near the borders of Niger and Burkina Faso on April 17.

The chairman of the African Union, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf said following the attack in Benin that: “the attack “highlights the urgent need for enhanced cooperation between neighbouring states to address the growing threat posed by terrorist groups operating in the Sahel”.

Terrorism in the region is of increasing concern however for Nigeria this has been a long term issue.

In January of this year, 20 Nigerian troops from the 149 Battalion in Malam-Fatori town were killed by Islamic militants in Borno State, on the border with Niger.

It was reported that militants also burnt buildings and attacked local fisherman during the attack.

The country’s struggle with Islamic militants has led to the deaths of an estimated 35,000 people and the displacement of a further 35 million according to the United Nations.

Africa News, AP, Maghrebi