Security experts have warned the Nigerian government not to lose focus on Boko Haram, in the light of a crisis reportedly bedevilling the terror group.
The calls came on the heels of erstwhile Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau’s threat last week to attack President Muhammadu Buhari and the Islamic State’s announcement of a new leader for the sect.
The new leader, Abu Musab al-Barnawi, was named to replace Shekau by ISIS.
Audio recordings later posted online by Shekau, following the announcement indicated that two factions of the sect had emerged.
Reacting to the development, a member of the American Society of Industrial Security, Prof. Femi Adegbulu, warned the government not to consider the division in the terrorist camp as a sign of Boko Haram being weakened.
According to Punch, Adegbulu said, “I’m just wondering if government is looking at the larger picture in all the unfolding drama. For instance, is anybody looking at the fact that Kano has all the trappings of becoming the next bastion of Boko Haram, especially having been dislodged from their haven in the North-East?
“With Kogi’s track record of extremism, is anyone considering the possibility of having an outpost of Boko Haram there? Rather than jubilate that Boko Haram’s ranks have been broken, Nigeria’s security agencies should begin to re-strategise.
Similarly, a former Director at the Army Defence Headquarters, Brigadier General Ayodele Ojo (retd.), stated that the Nigerian military must take advantage of the crisis in the terrorist camp to bring an end to the insurgency.
“The crisis will no doubt paralyse Boko Haram organisation and its effectiveness to fight as a group. The military should also follow up the lead on the information contained in the statement of al-Barnawi,” Ojo said.
Boko Haram has been waging war against the Nigerian state in an insurgency that began in 2009.
