The National Security Adviser (NSA) to President Muhammadu Buhari, Babagana Monguno (retd), has revealed some groups sponsoring Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in Nigeria.

Monguno made this revelation in Abuja on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at the 14th Workshop of the League of Ulamas, Preachers and Imams of Sahel countries.

Groups sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria and other African countries like Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic as identified by the NSA include; Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), Islamic and Muslim Support Group, and Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS).

According to Monguno: “Terrorism and the rapid escalation of violent activities by militant Islamist groups in the Sahel since 2016 have been primarily driven by the Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS), which mainly operates in Mali and extends to the Niger Republic and Burkina Faso.

“It is bolstered by activities of groups such as Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), the Islamic and Muslim Support Group (GSIM) and ISGS, which have continued to pose an imminent threat to the stability of the region.

“In Nigeria, Boko-Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) dominate terrorist activities, especially in the North-Eastern part of the country.

“The situation in the Sahel has never been grimmer, extremist violence continues to spread; the number of internally displaced persons (IDPS) is growing; and food insecurity is affecting more people than ever before.”

Proffering solution towards tackling terrorism, Monguno said there is need for the international community and it’s Sahel partners to re-strategize and embrace peace through dialogue.

“In that regard, it is imperative that Ulamas, Preachers and Community Leaders in your localities key in to support efforts of our security forces, in order to end this menace.

“Just as collaborations between governments are boosting the advance of security forces in the fight against terrorism, alliances and group effort like LOPIS should be the backbone to rebuilding our terrorism infested communities.

“There’s no gun more powerful than enlightenment and education at the grass-root level,” the NSA said.