By Julius Ogunro
Islamists are expanding their frontiers in Nigeria. The latest being Mahmuda, an Islamic terror group with ties to Boko haram, terrorising Kwara and several states around it. Because of its cross-border threat, the Beninese government recently closed its borders with Nigeria around the Baruten area. Ansaru, a battle-tested Islamist group also connected to Boko Haram, is active in the Northcentral, especially in the Kogi area. Its forte is kidnapping for ransom and spreading its twisted ideology of Islamic puritanism.
In Nigeria’s northwest, the Islamic terror group, Lakurawa, is gaining ground, increasing its attacks on civilian and military infrastructure, especially in the Kebbi and Sokoto axis. Military intelligence says it recruits heavily disaffected and vulnerable youth among the local population.