Mercenaries who fought for ex-Libyan leader Muammar Ghadaffi have been accused of partnering with Boko Haram to cause havoc in Konduga, Borno in an attack that saw over 39 killed and 2000 homes burned to the ground.
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters are investigating the allegations even as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed that troops had taken over the town and were allowing for distribution of relief materials to residents who were stuck indoors for fear of loss of life and/or limb(s).
On the allegation of the Libyan mercenaries, a military source told reporters, “These mercenaries relocated from Libya to Mali in the heat of the Libyan crisis, which led to the ouster of the late Ghadaffi. And with the intervention of French troops and African Mission, the mercenaries eventually lost their bases in Mali.”
“You will recall that Nigerian troops also played a vital role in putting out insurgency in Mali.
“So, this is the latest bend to the insurgency we are curtailing in Borno State. With our sustained counter-attacks on Boko Haram sect, there was no way the group could remain stronger if there was no external backing.
“They have been using Hilux vans and trucks, painted in Nigerian Army colour, to invade towns and villages in Borno. If there is no external backing like those of Libyan mercenaries, the Boko Haram sect cannot go far.
“These mercenaries, with stinking funds at their disposal, have not even given up in Libya. On January 18, some of them were said to have overrun an Air Force Base outside the City of Sabha in Southern Libya. They do have an ally in Boko Haram.”
“There is the suspicion that the Libyan mercenaries are backing the Boko Haram sect in retaliation of the position on the Libyan crisis.
“If you look at recent pattern of attacks, the insurgents cannot be said to be waging a Jihad or pursuing any agenda to Islamise Nigeria because they have been destroying churches, mosques and killing Christians and Muslims.
“It looks more of a war against the sovereignty of Nigeria than any religious colouration. This is why the military authorities have directed troops to go full blast on land and in the air.”
The military said it had rescued some of the 20 girls abducted by the militants.