The National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (Rtd) has said that some groups are involved in enabling terrorism in Nigeria. He stated that groups like Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), the Islamic and Muslim Support Group (GSIM), and Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS) were involved in sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria and Africa. This was made known by Monguno on Tuesday during the 14th Workshop of the League of Ulamas, Preachers, and Imams of Sahel countries held in Abuja.
Monguno said, “Terrorism and the rapid escalation of violent activities by militant Islamist groups in the Sahel since 2016 have been primarily driven by the Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS), which mainly operates in Mali and extends to the Niger Republic and Burkina Faso.
“It is bolstered by activities of groups such as Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), the Islamic and Muslim Support Group (GSIM) and ISGS, which have continued to pose an imminent threat to the stability of the region.
“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.”
According to Monguno, terrorist groups utilize propaganda videos to gain support from sympathizers.
He said, “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.”
The NSA said that at the grass-root level there is no gun more powerful than education and enlightenment.
