By Saidu Idris
365Daily – Three religious organisations, Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), Islamic and Muslim Support Group (GSIM) and ISGS have been named as groups promoting terror activities in Nigeria and other Sahel countries.
This was disclosed by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, in Abuja.
Speaking at the 14th Workshop of the League of Ulamas, Preachers and Imams of Sahel countries in Abuja, he urged Islamic preachers and Imams to collaborate with the government in its fight against terrorism by using their positions to promote support for ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
The NSA noted that the clerics and security forces “should be the backbone to rebuilding our terrorism infested communities.”
He continued: “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 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.
“There are several not entirely congruent working hypothesis underpinning foreign and regional government strategies”.