As the country grapples withthe terror activities of the fundamentalist Boko Haram sect, another terror group, Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa, has emerged.
Our correspondents gathered that the new sect also has a strong presence in Niger Republic.
Currently, two terrorist groupsexist in Nigeria - Boko Haram and Jama'atu Ansarul Musliminafi Biladis Sudan.
SUNDAY PUNCH reports that there are fears in security circles that MOJAO may infiltrate the country due to the porous nature of Nigeria's borders.
Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, had last week said therewere 1,497 illegal routes into the country.
MOJAO, a splinter group of theinternational terror group, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, is after military operatives and facilities of countries that are complementing France's effortsin quelling terrorists' insurgency in Mali.
Besides Niger, Nigeria, Chadand Bukina Faso are involved in military operations in Mali.
On Thursday, the Jihadist group claimed responsibility for a twin suicide bombing attack at the Nigerian/Nigerienborder.
No fewer than 26, mostly Nigerien soldiers, were killedand about 30 injured, in the multiple attacks.
MOJAO spokesman, Abu Walid Sahraoui, said the attacks were targeted at"the enemies of Islam."
"We attacked Niger Republic because of its co-operation with France in the war against Sharia," he added.
A highly placed security officialtold one of our correspondents that the grouphad been in existence since 2011.
According to the official, who pleaded anonymity because hewas not authorised to speak on the subject, MOJAOposes athreat to Nigeria's security.
He said, "We now have to prevent them from infiltratingNigeria; we have enough BokoHaram challenges. Don't forget that members of Boko Haram, who were dislodged from Sambisa Games Reserve and other camps in Borno State fled to neigbouring states and the Niger Republic. So many of them from Abadan, Malam Fatori and other villages, are now refugees in Difa, Niger Republic. They can decide to pitch tents with MOJAO.
"MOJAO has attacked barracksin Niger, which is similar to what Boko Haram does in Nigeria. This new group may want to do the same in here majorly because we are also involved in the Malian operation - which is one of their grievances.
"They are also likely to target our soldiers at the border."
When SUNDAY PUNCH contacted the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen Chris Olukolade, on Friday about the threat ofthe new group, he said efforts were onto sensitise all military formations acrossthe country to exhibit a high level of alertness.
Olukolade said the Nigerian troops were at the border withNiger in line with the military's decision
He said, "Our troops are everywhere. They have been at the border since thebeginning of the operation.
"Military formations are being sensitised on the needto maintain a high level of alertness in all locations whether or not they are involved in any operation orexercises.
"The public is implored to be vigilant and ensure that theyreport all suspicious movements or activities to security agencies promptly."
President Goodluck Jonathanhad on May 14, 2013, duringanational broadcast, declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
This was in response to the activities of suspected terrorists in North-Eastern part of Nigeria.
Some sections of Nigeria's border with Niger pass through Yobe and Borno states.
Meanwhile, Adamawa State hasbegun the registration ofresidents of communities in its domain as a precautionary step against infiltration by militants fleeingmilitary bombardment in Borno State.
SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that holders of the traditional titles of Sarkin Matasa (youth leaders) in communities acrossthe state were driving the project.
A military source in the statesaid, "Adamawa State through the emirate council has introduced a house-to-house count of people in the state. This is to enable all wards leaders to know the exact number of personsper household and to check infiltrators in Borno."
The source, who pleaded anonymity, added that suspected Boko Haram members, who had fled northern Borno, were regrouping at Zumo area of Song Local Government Area ofAdamawa State.
The area is believed to have a difficult topography comprising mountains, rocks,and thick forest that extends to the country's northern border with Cameroon.
The Director, Press and Public Relations of the Adamawa StateGovernment House, Mr. Ahmad Sajoh, confirmed the development.
More here:
http://naijarum.forumotion.com/t57-new-terror-group-emerges#79