Boko Haram in charge of Borno, Yobe towns, collecting taxes –Report

Despite claims by President Muhammadu Buhari-led-government that Boko Haram has been technically defeated, reports say that a faction of the terrorist group is now currently occupying towns in Borno and Yobe states.

The Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA), the faction occupying the towns, according to Reuters report are providing protection to Muslim residents in those towns and collecting taxes from them.

ISWA is a breakaway faction of Boko Haram led by Abu Musab al-Barnawi, the son of Boko Haram founder, Muhammed Yusuf.

The group is said to usually provide seeds and fertilisers as well as safe pasture for herdsmen, who pay them money in return.

A herdsmen who made this known to Reuters explained that ISWA provides safe grazing for about N2,500 ($8) a cow and N1,500 ($5) for smaller animals, and that the group also runs slaughterhouses for the cattle, taking a cut for each animal, as well as from other activities like gathering firewood.

It is believed that ISWA, said to have carried out the over 100 Dapchi girls abduction in Yobe State in February, has between 3,000 and 5,000 fighters and strong links with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

A map produced by the United States development agency in February and seen by Reuters shows how ISWA territory extends more than 100 miles into Borno and Yobe, where the Federal Government claims terrorists have been ‘technically defeated.’

The US map paints a similar picture, with ISWA operating in much of Borno.

READ ALSO: Questions Trump should ask Buhari –PDP

According to Jacob Zenn, of The Jamestown Foundation in Washington D.C., “Islamic State has a terrible reputation for being so brutal around the world, and people can’t imagine an Islamic State faction could be more moderate (than Boko Haram).”

He noted that while the Nigerian military, particularly, the Air Force has been jombing the group in some areas, ISWA was ready to cede less important areas because the military cannot hold them. “However, they maintain absolute control over the islands and immediate areas near them where they train, live, etc.”

The report also claims that the terrorist group has won the support and backing of the residents, as it protects them, something the military seems unable to do.

Meanwhile, reports claim that the Federal Government and the Defence Headquarters have described the report of ISWA occupying towns in Borno and Yobe states as a tissue of lies.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now