A secret report compiled by the military and SSS operatives and sent to President Goodluck Jonathan has revealed that an Algerian terrorist sect sent cash support to radical Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram to the tune of N40 million, the first installment in a planned long term relationship between both terrorist organisations.
In an exclusive published by Premium Times, the investigative report showed that the report, a product of joint police and military interrogations and raids carried out in Kano and Sokoto in December 2011, and further explained that both Boko Haram and the unnamed Algerian sect have met several times to work out the terms of their working arrangement.
A partnership between both terrorist groups will mean more funding for Boko Haram, better weapons training and stealth tactics to aid the Nigerian radical sect carry out more severe and sophisticated attacks.
The report reveals how the Boko Haram sect, already said to have links to Al Qaeda in Maghreb, funds its increasingly bloody attacks in Nigeria’s north. It is known to target security agents, worship places and especially banks, which is how security operatives believes the sect has so far funded its more elaborate attacks.
Boko Haram’s alleged ties with Middle East based Al Aqaeda have long been documented. In June 2009, months before the sect began its violent insurgency, Wikileaks released cables revealing ties between Boko Haram and well trained Chadian extremist, Abu-Mahjin.
The cables said Abu-Mahjin who had “limited ties to al-Qa’ida associates,” was seeking funds to facilitate a massive terrorist attack, the reports said. The extremist sect began its terror attack on the Nigerian state in August 2009, two months after the cable was written.
And the relationship between the sect and AQIM has grown closer. Purported spokesman of the sect in an interview with the Guardian referred to Al Qaed as “elder brothers”, adding “we enjoy financial and technical support from them. Anything we want from them we ask them.”
According to the document, some arrested members of the sect confessed to links with the unnamed Algerian terrorist group and admitted to receiving financing from the group.
Boko Haram has waged an increasingly violent insurgency in northern Nigeria, claiming over 1,000 lives since the sect turned violent in 2009. It has claimed responsibility for major attacks this year, including the January 20 bombings in Kano that left over 185 dead in one fell swoop.
The dangerous sect is also said to have links to government officials, who act as financial backers for the sect. Earlier this month, the federal government stated that it will release a list, naming politicians with ties to the sect. The list is yet to be released. Fore more details on the report, visit Premium Times.
