A new report says there is mounting evidence that jihadi fighters who had long operated in Africa’s volatile Sahel region have settled in northwestern Nigeria after crossing from neighboring BeninJihadis from Africa’s Sahel have crossed into Nigeria’s north, a new report says. They say the park and most protected wildlife areas in Nigeria are poorly patrolled, making them easy targets for armed groups. The Clingendael report said it is unclear what the motive of the Sahel extremists in the park is and what their relationship with other armed groups there will be. Across many villages in Nigeria's northwest, banditry — not jihadi fighters — remains the major security threat, Barnett said. The bandits have on a few occasions in the past collaborated with jihadi fighters as two separate groups in carrying out attacks.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 19, 2024 13:45 UTC