Nigeria: Military bases targeted by jihadists

Nigeria’s fight against jihadist terrorism appears increasingly futile amid reports that military bases were targeted in the northeast, according to Africa News via AP on March 10th.

Between March 7th and 9th, Islamist militants launched at least six attacks against military bases in Borno and Yobe States, along with the broader Lake Chad region; at least two officers and several soldiers were killed.

Groups like Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have been blamed for these attacks; they are particularly active in Borno State, which borders Cameroon.

Footage has emerged of ISWAP militants brandishing massive weaponry and ammunition that they allegedly stole from military bases, although this footage could not be independently verified.

According to Taiwo Adebayo at the Africa-focused Institute for Security Studies, a primary aim for jihadists is to restock their weapons arsenal.

Established in 2009, Boko Haram’s influence has grown throughout West Africa, with the organisation expanding operations into Chad, Cameroon and Niger.

Boko Haram and ISWAP are affiliated with the Islamic State and seek to establish an Islamic Caliphate in Africa, which would be governed by Sharia Law.

Additionally, al-Qaeda affiliated groups like the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) also have a presence in Nigeria, despite originating in the Sahel.

It was reported on February 26th that jihadist attacks on the border region between Nigeria, Niger and Benin had increased, although Benin has blamed the rise in Islamist violence on a spillover from neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.

To counter growing Islamist extremism, members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced on March 4th plans to create a regional counterterrorism task force.

Under this plan, 2,000 troops would be deployed to address “terrorism and insecurity” across West Africa, with Sierra Leone serving as the force’s logistical base.

Although the Sahel has become a global epicentre for Islamist terrorism, the junta-led Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali have withdrawn from ECOWAS after the bloc condemned military coups in the Sahel and demanded a return to civilian rule.

The three junta-led allies are founding members of the Alliance of Sahel States, a cooperation pact designed to counter terrorism by sharing military and intelligence resources.

Due to its perceived Western alignment, ECOWAS has been rejected by the Sahel allies, who have cut ties with Western powers in favour of developing strategic and security partnerships with Russia.

Africa News via AP, Maghrebi.org