Letters

Of IS and Boko Haram

THE announcement last week by the Islamic State (IS) that it has appointed Al-Barnawi as the leader of the Boko Haram terrorist organisation, and the subsequent fight-back by Abubakar Shekau, is a dangerous trend for the country.

We should not forget that Boko Haram had aligned itself with IS last year, but the decision by the terrorist organisation headquartered in Raqqa, Syria to public announce that it has appointed a leader for the Nigeria-based terrorist group, Boko Haram, should make our military strategists go back to the drawing board.

One thing is sure with this latest development, Boko Haram has split into two different factions, with one group supporting the IS recognised faction, led by Al-Barnawi, while another faction will follow Shekau.

The fallout of this situation will be that the two groups will now strive to out-do the other in terms of killings, and it might likely mean that what we have been experiencing in the last couple of years may be a child’s play compared to what is coming.

Our military strategists can also capitalise on the split between the Boko Haram leadership and, therefore, end the insurgency as soon as possible.

The fact that IS is losing ground in Iraq and Syria, as well as in Libya, means that we need to be extra-careful in Nigeria so that the entire structure of the terrorist organisation is not transferred into the country.

I am happy that the military has regained its lost glory since the coming onboard of President Muhammadu Buhari, and I believe everything will continue to be done towards ending insurgency in the country.