Reuters report that young entrepreneurs and business owners in the north east are sometimes provided with capital or promised loans to boost their business by Boko Haram recruiters.
Lisa Inks who is the peacebuilding adviser of Mercy Corps agency said on Monday, April 11 that many youths see successful business as a way of escaping from poverty.
Butchers, traders, tailors and beauticians require capital. Boko Haram provides this loan which unknown to the youths to is a trap by the terrorist group to recruit them.
Those who cannot pay back the loan either join the terrorists or are killed.
“Boko Haram is tapping into the yearning of Nigerian youth to get ahead in an environment of massive inequality.”
“It is incredibly clever – either such loans breed loyalty or Boko Haram use mafia style tactics to trap and force young people to join them.”