Abu -Bilal al -Minuki
The menace of Islamic extremism has overshadowed Nigeria since 2009, though there had been a brief foreshadowing of it in the early 80s during Maitstshine uprising which was violently, effectively quelled by the President Shehu Shagari’s administration.
The current mutation which began in 2009 has been more sweeping and pervasive in its cruelty and violence, spreading deaths and destruction.
The Nigerian military has increased co-operation with the US in efforts to combat extremist violence in the past two years following the ascendance into presidency of Donald Trump in the United States
This newspaper has long condemned government’s lackadaisical attitude towards confronting agents of terror, an attitude described by informed opinion as ‘ having political underpinning and arithmetic of 2027′.
It was thus heartening to hear that Nigeria and the United States’ claims of killing Abu -Bilal al -Minuki, a senior Islamic State (IS) leader in a joint-operation.
For long, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki had been under security wanted list and radar of both the United States and Nigeria. He was described by US President Donald Trump as the “second in command of ISIS globally” and “the most active terrorist in the world”.
NATIONAL WAVES had previously commented on the menace of IS in West Africa, as the terror group radically shifted in recent years, with around 90% of its attacks now taking place in sub-Saharan Africa. Its Nigeria-based branch is by far the most active.
Al‑Minuki was declared a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by Washington in 2023.
The last week joint US- Nigeria operation eliminated tens of Manuki’s lieutenants” during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin, a huge region of waterways and swampland shared by Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
A military spokesman said intelligence had established that Minuki had established a fortified base in the area – in Metele, Borno State.
The Lake Chad basin has long been a stronghold for Boko Haram and its rival faction, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The Nigerian military said the operation began shortly after midnight on Saturday, after months of intelligence gathering and reconnaissance. It said “zero casualties or loss of assets” were recorded, describing the operation as evidence of growing co-operation between Nigerian and US forces.
It said that al-Minuki had been promoted to “Head of General Directorate of States”, making him one of the most senior figures within the global IS hierarchy.
He previously oversaw IS-linked operations across the Sahel and West Africa, including attacks targeting civilians and minority communities.
The military also linked al-Minuki to the 2018 Dapchi schoolgirls kidnapping when more than 100 girls from a boarding school in north-eastern Nigeria were taken by militant group Boko Haram.
The killing of Manuki though may seem a victory but the greater battle lies ahead in the thick forest reserves and jungle of the southwest where these terrorists have laid siege.
Though this newspaper acknowledges the efforts of the military, it would seem these are only a trifle considering the continuing successes of the terror groups in attacking vulnerable communities, military installations and barracks, kidnapping on the highways and the perceived infiltration of the military by the terrorists who now act as fifth columnists.
Last week abduction of 48 school children, principal and some teachers in some Oyo communities testify to the penetration of the southwest by these groups.
Ondo and Ekiti states have recorded significant series of attacks and kidnapping both on the highways and homes. As it seems these terrorists are only testing the waters in the southwest to see how Tinubu’s administration will respond. They are yet to show their actual strength.
It’s our considered view that the governors of the southwest are fiddling like proverbial Nero while their states are about to explode. Also the Tinubu’s administration has clearly not done much because of political consideration. This posture is disturbing as it gives a signal of primacy of politics over human life.
Governments of the southwest should wake up from their slumber and cooperate with many vibrant private security initiatives such as Odua People’s Congress.
Reports suggest these governors have rebuffed overtures from OPC.
The federal government should also up its game and give timelines to the military to stop the menace once and for all.
