Description: Domestic terrorist group Boko Haram threatens Nigeria’s security situation with repeated attacks on several military outposts in the past two weeks. Nigerian military officials have clashed with militants from Boko Haram’s fraction ISWAP (Islamic State of West Africa Province) where up to 9 soldiers were killed in the village of Gajibo in Nigeria’s Borno State. Boko Haram splintered into two organizations, ISWAP and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal – Jihad (JAS) over the years, which resort to different methods of obtaining financial support and conducting attacks while operating in distinct parts of the territory. Experts warned that the latest resurgence is due to the prominent level of weaponry sophistication and the enhanced financial support from the terrorist group Islamic State.
Impact: Escalation in violence coupled with increased ground presence by Boko Haram in Nigeria further aggravates the security situation in Africa where numerous militant, extremist and terrorist groups are active across a number of countries. Boko Haram is one of the most nefarious terrorist groups operating in Africa through its splintered fractions which are basing their attacks on ideological and radically religious sentiments aiming at establishing a state within a state in Nigeria. The reported difficulties which the military has in facing the renewed and more sophisticated offensive by the terrorist group further raises the potential of a growing security crisis in the country. Terrorist attacks are expected to be on the rise in the short to mid – term with the Nigerian military struggling to impose control over large parts of its territory, which would significantly affect the security situation on the continent.