A security expert, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, has said the reported allegiance of the terror group, Boko Haram, to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is a desperate move intended to send fear to the Nigerian military.He advised that the security agencies must not relax, but continue to bombard the hideouts of the terror group.
In a statement in Lagos on Tuesday, Ekhomu, who is the President of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria, said people in the country had the duty to assist the military with useful information.
He said, “Boko Haram is hoping to scare the Nigerian military by invoking the specter of ISIS. Another goal of declaring allegiance to ISIS was to engage in the recruitment of Jihadi fighters as the recent military offensive had resulted in a heavy loss of men on the part of the terrorists.
“The government and citizens must be on the alert to the threat of suicide bombings-like we saw in Maiduguri last weekend which resulted in 62 fatalities – and active shooter attacks like we saw in Njaba Borno State.
“Such sneak attacks are going to continue for quite a while. It will take vigilance and security awareness on the part of citizens to forestall these lone wolf or wolf pack attacks.”
Ekhomu commended the Multi-National Joint Task Force troops fighting alongside Nigerian troops, but criticised their statements and claims of superior fighting skills.
Ekhomu said Nigeria had the greatest military in Africa and that the soldiers from Chad, Cameroon and Niger were merely playing a supporting role to the Nigerian troops.
He said the real value of the Cameroonian, Nigerien and Chadian troops in the military campaign was that they were largely denying Boko Haram a safe haven in their countries.
He said, “Aside from the African Union mandate on use of force, Boko Haram essentially did Nigeria a favour by attacking the neighbouring countries and drawing their ire. Obviously, the group bit off more than it could chew”.
Ekhomu advised President Goodluck Jonathan to honour the soldiers once the mission had been accomplished, adding that it would boost their morale and restore the military to its rightful place in the country.
