Jihadi fighters who had long operated in Africa's volatile Sahel region have settled in northwestern Nigeria after crossing from neighbouring Benin, a new report said Wednesday, the latest trend in the militants' movements to wealthier West African coastal nations. Uncertain Motives of Sahel ExtremistsThe Clingendael report said that it's unclear the motive of the Sahel extremists in the park or what their relationship with other armed groups there would be. Security analysts say it offers opportunities for logistics and more influence amid a booming illegal trade across the porous border. Across many villages in Nigeria's northwest, banditry — not jihadi fighters — remains the major security threat, Barnett said. The bandits have on one or two occasions in the past collaborated with jihadi fighters as two separate groups in carrying out attacks.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 19, 2024 14:51 UTC