Report says- ISIS Offering Advice to Boko Haram!

A British newspaper reports that what had been considered as mere symbolic links between the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria and Boko Haram in Nigeria may have developed into something more sinister; as ISIS may now be offering Boko Haram advice on strategy and tactics.

The report, which is allegedly contained on page 30 of a recent edition of The Independent published in London stated  that "Intelligence agencies are concerned that what were once symbolic links between Isis and Boko Haram have now developed into a practical relationship with the Islamic State offering advice on strategy and tactics."

According to the report, Boko Haram appears to have been emboldened by its recent gains and was "beginning to operate more like a conventional army in Borno and the neighbouring north-eastern states of Adamawa and Yobe".

Nigerian Military authorities contested the alleged gains by Boko Haram, saying counter-offensives have been launched to rout them.

Howbeit, The Independent report anchored by Cahal Milmo and Tom Witherow, quoted Nigeria Security Network, a coalition of security experts and academics, as saying "unless swift action is taken, Nigeria could be facing a rapid takeover of a large area of its territory reminiscent of Isis's lightning advances in Iraq."

According to the paper, "the nature of the threat was further underlined on Monday when a senior politician in Borno admitted that civil life in the state, home to three million people, has all but ground to a halt".

It recalled that the secretary to the Borno State government, Alhaji Baba Ahmad Jidda, had warned that, while at the moment most parts of Borno State were being occupied by Boko Haram insurgents, "government presence and administration was minimal or non-existent across

many parts of the state, with economic, commercial and social services totally subdued. Schools and clinics remain closed".

"Most settlements in the affected areas in the state have either been deserted or access to them is practically impossible. The threat to security of lives and property as a result of the criminal activities of the Boko Haram insurgents is everywhere," the SSG was quoted to have said.