Jihadis from Africa’s Sahel have crossed into Nigeria’s north, a new report says. A lot is at stake
A new report cites mounting evidence to show that jihadi fighters who had long operated in Africa’s volatile Sahel region have settled in northwestern Nigeria after crossing from neighboring Benin
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Jihadi fighters who had long operated in Africa’s volatile Sahel region have settled in northwestern Nigeria after crossing from neighboring Benin, a new report said Wednesday, the latest trend in the militants' movements to wealthier West African coastal nations.
The extremists believed to be linked to al-Qaida have in the last year crossed over from Benin’s hard-hit northern region and settled in the Kainji Lake National Park, one of Nigeria’s largest which had been under security threats, according to the report by the Clingendael Institute think tank.
Residents close to the park told The Associated Press that the facility, which holds one of West Africa’s fast-declining lion populations, has been closed for more than a year because of security threats from armed groups attacking neighboring villages and roads.
“Before, it was like a tourism center (but) now, people find it difficult to pass through there,” said John Yerima who lives near the park in New Bussa town. “You cannot enter that road (leading to the park) now. It is dangerous seriously.”
