The National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) says the “strategic goal” of some extremist groups to create an Islamic caliphate will continue to be frustrated by Lake Chad Basin Commission countries.
Monguno stated this on Tuesday at the 14th workshop of the League of Ulamas, Preachers and Imams of Sahel countries.
Countries in the Lake Chad Basin area are Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Sudan, Algeria, and Libya.
Read Also: DSS lied over Nnamdi Kanu’s state of health, living conditions – Lawyer
This is just as the NSA named three major extremist groups backing terror, noting that their activities have continued to pose an imminent threat to peace and stability in the region.
He identified the groups as Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), Islamic and Muslim Support Group (IMSG) and Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS).
“In Nigeria, Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) dominate terrorist activities, especially in the north-eastern part of the country.
“The situation in the Sahel has never been grimmer, extremist violence continues to spread; the number of internally displaced persons (IDPS) is growing; and food insecurity is affecting more people than ever before.
“Thus, it is assessed that while the groups maintain the long-term strategic goal of creating a caliphate, the efforts of Lake Chad Basin Commission countries will continue to frustrate that goal.”
“In that regard, it is imperative that ulamas, preachers, and community leaders in your localities key in to support efforts of our security forces, in order to end this menace,” Monguno said.