By Uche Mbah
There are palpable fears that the Islamic State for West African Province, ISWAP, which makes no secrete of their target of Nigeria for their activities, may infiltrate the Ruga settlements to carry out their activities.
ISWAP, has been growing stronger since their parent body, Islamic State, IS, are currently being smoked out and squeezed to ineffectiveness by a coalition of hostile forces led by the US.
Last October, it overran a Nigerian military base in Metele, Borno state, killing about a hundred soldiers. From its base in Nigerian it struck in Chad and killed about 23 soldiers. But indications are that they are rebranding and changing their tactics to amorphous infiltration using the Alqaeda template.
A breakaway from the dreaded Boko Haram, they are said to be exploring other ways of base expansionism, which, analysts say, tilts towards the Al qaeda amoebaic arrangements that see a diffuse and clandestine infiltration option more appealing to them. “That is why the idea of Ruga excites them”, this magazine was told. “They have already found informants within the security forces. And these forces are at the forefront of Ruga entrenchment”.
Recall that in the recent virile case of confrontation between herdsmen and indigens of Nenwe in Enugu state, it was the Military command from 82 division of the Nigerian Army that intervened even before the coming of the Enugu state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Ugwuanyi later allegedly compensated the natives, via the traditional ruler, with N2 million, but gave the Miyetti Allah militia N3 million. These allegations have not been independently confirmed.
Their new method of co-option instead of coercing the natives makes it easy for ISWAP to integrate with security forces and finally take over the country through Ruga. Indications are that they may have been integrating and coalescing with politicians and civil rights groups through infiltration. “They may have been part of the kidnapping gangs, as part of their internal fund generation”, this magazine was told.
Besides this, the Fulani militia in West Africa, generally called the Godogodo in local parlance, are said to have become partly merged with the ISWAP. These were the hit squads that are given free reign with AK 47 and other dangerous weapons. They first tested blood during the Nigerian civil war, where they were said to have been recruited by General Gowon as a mop up team after the major battle. They were alleged to have carried out the Onitsha and Asaba Massacre during the war using Nigerian Army uniform. After the war, they became entrenched.
They were said to be used for the massacre at Nimbo, in Enugu state during herdsmen attacks.
Recall that the traditional herdsmen disappeared with their cattle two days before the herdsmen attack.
The traditional herdsmen are afraid of them.
“The fears of Fulanization is real”, this magazine was told. “But there may be a major conflict after: whether Nigeria will be an enclave of Fulanis or ISWAP. That will be the day”.
