Is Boko Haram Gaining Foothold in Nigeria’s Northwest? – By Sirwan Kajjo (VOA News) / Dec 31 2020
Boko Haram’s claim of responsibility for a recent kidnapping of more than 300 students in Nigeria’s northwestern state of Katsina signals that the militant group is expanding its terror activities beyond its traditional stronghold in the West African country’s northeast, experts warn.
On December 11, Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, said in an audio recording that his group was behind the abduction of the schoolboys in the town of Kankara in Katsina. The students, however, were released several days after being abducted by gunmen.
FILE – Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau holds a weapon in an unknown location in Nigeria in this still image taken from an undated video obtained Jan. 15, 2018.
The militant group also released a video showing some of the students before their release.
Regardless of whether Boko Haram was responsible for the kidnappings, some experts say the incident represents a worrying sign for stability and security in northern Nigeria.
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