Boko Haram under scrutiny over foreign fighters claim

Kano - Cameroon's claims this week that two
Tuareg fighters were among the dead when
troops bombarded Boko Haram positions have
sparked fresh interest in the group's links to the
wider jihadi network.
Communication minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary
did not elaborate on the nationality of the
foreigners, who were among the more than 100
dead during an attempted cross-border incursion
at the weekend.
But with the Tuareg people found in Mali and
Algeria, which are both home to Islamist groups,
the claim is coming under close examination.
Boko Haram was designated an al-Qaeda-linked
terror group earlier this year while its recent land
grab in Nigeria's northeast has prompted
comparisons to Islamic State militants in Syria
and Iraq.
Analysts remain sceptical, though, about the
extent of its direct operational links with outside
groups, despite claims that some fighters were
trained in Mali and arms are smuggled from
Libya.
Allowances
Security sources in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria,
say Boko Haram has for some time encouraged
mercenaries from neighbouring countries such as
Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
"These fighters are paid allowances after every
raid, which ranges between 50 000 naira ($300)
and 150 000 naira for each fighter," the source
told AFP in a recent interview.
Others said the recruitment was to be expected,
given the increase in violence this year that has
left thousands dead and prompted hundreds of
thousands of civilians to flee.
"It will not be surprising at this stage," said
security analyst Abdullahi Bawa Wase.
"The enlargement of the original Boko Haram with
mercenaries and criminal and political elements is
not in doubt."
Kyari Mohammed, a Boko Haram specialist from
the Centre for Peace Studies in Yola, Adamawa
state, said he, too, was not surprised at the
arrival of foreign fighters.
History of violence
But he questioned how many foreign guns-for-
hire had been recruited into Boko Haram's ranks,
which according to one recent estimate numbered
between 6,000 and 8,000 in total.
"When you are fighting this kind of war you
expect the influx of mercenaries, especially in this
region where we have porous borders and a
history of violence," he said.
"There could be infiltration of mercenaries across
these borders but not on a huge scale."
'Al-Qaeda in west Africa'?
Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has
described Boko Haram as "al-Qaeda in west
Africa" and has been keen to play up a regional
dimension to the five-year insurgency.
Chief of Defence Staff Alex Badeh has said
weapons recovered during operations were "very
alien to Nigerian armed forces, which means there
are people from outside fuelling this thing".
"I know that people from outside Nigeria are in
this war. They are fighting us," he said earlier this
year.
Humanitarian crisis
But some analysts see Nigeria's position as a
way of deflecting criticism its own role in
transforming a largely peaceful domestic anti-
corruption movement into a heavily armed terror
group.
Boko Haram gained a higher international profile
in April this year when it abducted more than 200
schoolgirls from the remote northeastern town of
Chibok.
The United States said last week that it was
concerned by its capture of a succession of towns
and the potential for a humanitarian crisis.
Despite that, security experts say the conflict
remains largely an internal domestic issue and
that Boko Haram has localised aims.
Others point out that forced conscription of young
men from across Nigeria's borders could also
explain the presence of foreign nationals to boost
Boko Haram's depleted ranks.
In Cameroon, young men from towns and villages
near the Nigerian border have been conscripted
with inducements of motorcycles and 150 000
naira in cash as a "signing-on fee", the security
source in Maiduguri added.
Police in Cameroon's impoverished far north
region confirmed to AFP in August that hundreds
of young people had been forced to fight.
"Children from Kolofata were conscripted,
drugged, manipulated and sent against their own
city," one police officer said.

Adamawa Youths, Vigilantes Kill 80 Boko Haram Members

In a fight to take over their towns back from
Boko Haram, reports coming in from
Adamawa state is that about 8o members of
the sect have been killed by youths and
vigilantes in Muchika and Madagali local
government of the state on Tuesday night,
September 9.
According to Punch the dreaded Boko Haram
armed with sophiscated weapons who have
been wreakingg continuous havoc in the
Northern states most especially Adamawa and
Borno fled into the rush after running out of
arms and ammunitions.
Meanwhile following the presence of troops
stationed in strategic places in the state,
normalcy has reportedly returned to the LGAs.
According to a resident of Michika, Vandi
Joseph, who told journalists on Wednesday in
Yola that the insurgents were overpowered by
youths and vigilantes said: “Our youths and
vigilance group members ambushed and killed
over 80 insurgents who escaped from soldiers
and hid themselves in the bush. Our youths
and vigilantes saw them and killed them.”
Meanwhile, the Emir of Mubi has denied the
report that he fled his palace following Boko
Haram’s threat of an impending attack.
The Ismalist group have killed thousands of
innocent people in their incessant attacks.
It was reported on Spetember 7, that the Boko
Haram Insurgents had taken over Michika
Town in Adamawa state.
Just recently on Monday, September 8, former
President, Olusegun Obasanjo’s son,
Lieutenant. Colonel Adeboye was shot by Boko
Haram during an attack in Baza , Adamawa
state but now recovering in the hospital and
expressed eagerness to return to the
battlefield.
In a bid to win the war against terrorism, on
September 9, it was reported over 40 members
of Boko Haram were reportedly killed by
troops from the 1 Division Kaduna, 3 Division
Jos and TRADOC, Minna during a fierce battle
at Vimtim in Adamawa state.

Great Things Coming To Manchester United

The Argentine defender is excited to join "one of
the best clubs in the world at the moment" and
welcomes the arrivals of marquee signings Angel
Di Maria and Radamel Falcao
New Manchester United signing Marcos Rojo
believes that Louis van Gaal has assembled a
squad capable of restoring the club to their
former glory.
The Argentina international signed for United fro
Sporting Lisbon in August in a deal worth €20
million but has not yet featured for his new club
due to delays in obtaining a visa.
However, he has now been granted the all-clear
to play and is relishing the chance to line up
alongside fellow new arrivals such as Radamel
Falcao and Angel Di Maria.
"It is a huge step forward in my career and my
life and I am very happy to play for one of the
best clubs in the world at the moment," Rojo told
Perform.
"There are some great players [here]. We
obviously need to give time so the new manager
can build his team but, with the great names we
have in our squad and the intelligence of the
manager, I am sure many achievements will com
along."
Di Maria arrived from Real Madrid for a British
record fee of €75m, making his debut at Burnley
before the international break, and Rojo is familia
with the winger from their time with the Argentin
national team.
"He's got a lot of quality," the defender
proclaimed. "He is very sharp and very fast so h
can help a lot attacking in the second line."
United - without a win from their opening three
Premier League fixtures - recruited Monaco
forward Falcao on loan on transfer deadline day.
"There are some good strikers in the squad," Roj
enthused, "but Falcao is always in the penalty
box; he is very sharp and capable to make the
most of any chance.
"I will try to find my place as soon as possible
and help in every way I can so we get important
trophies."