A video allegedly released by Boko Haram has sparked more insecurity anxiety as it claims that the many members seen it are praying in a Niger State forest.
According to the video circulated by Bulama Bukarti, an analyst and a human rights lawyer, the people are part of the Abubakar Shekau-led faction of Boko Haram.
Bukarti notes in a tweet:”The Shekau-led faction of BH has released its first video exclusively featuring members claiming to be from Niger State. It shows about one hundred persons praying Eid in the heart of a bush before showing three fighters sending Eid greetings in Hausa, English and Fulfulde.
“It’s interesting that two of the fighters were respectively wearing Nigerian military & police uniforms. This indicates that they might’ve recently killed security forces and got their uniforms. This is because in their past video, the only speaker from Niger was in mufti.
“This video, if genuine, is further evidence that BH has expanded to the northcentral. The dense forest there is a perfect haven for terrorists and if the group is able to consolidate its presence in Niger, it can easily target Abuja as well as to other states like Kwara and Kogi.
“I won’t get tired of urging the FG and the Niger State Govt to take this threat seriously. We shouldn’t wait until the situation gets out of control before we start running helter-skelter. We better nip this challenge from the bud before it grows too gigantic to be uprooted.”
Growing insecurity has caused more panic, with insurgents, bandits, kidnappers and ritualistic wreaking havocs in different parts of the country.
It is, however, in the North-East and Kaduna South that insurgents and bandits are causing much destruction.
Many have suggested that President Muhammadu Buhari should overhaul the security architecture, especially in terms of replacing those in charge.
