The Federal Government, on Sunday, said the Islamic sect, Boko Haram’s pledge of allegiance to Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) was because it was pushed to the wall as a result of the success of the continued military offensive launched by the Nigerian troops and its allies against it.
Speaking with newsmen, Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mike Omeri, however said the military would not be deterred in its ongoing offensive against the sect.
“Well, it’s sad, although it is something that we’ve always thought existed that there was a link to an attempt to get the linkage or attention from ISIS.
“Clearly, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and allies would continue [to] discharge their offensive in getting these areas freed. It will not deter us, it will only make us stronger and committed to the fight against terror in the land.
“The fact that the armed forces have been recording successes of recent [has] led to this new development. Because they [the militants] have been decapacitated, they have been degraded and most of them have been dispersed from various camps and communities where they have always had their presence,” he said.
The NOA DG added that the government was working with citizens to help in the fight against Boko Haram.
“We have even issued an advisory that this could be possible because of the trend that we saw. So what they are doing is to go to some distant communities and attack soft targets; motor parks and markets,” said Omeri, adding that “there is heightened security alert and messages to citizens encouraging them to be more alert, and to report such suspicions or objects or persons to the nearest authorities,” Omeri said.
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