The Nigerian intelligence community appears unraveled by the latest maneuverings of the Islamic terrorist group in upping the ante against the efforts to curtain its activities in the North Eastern region of the country. Information available to 247ureports.com through sources close to the Nigerian intelligence community reveal that there are strong indications suggesting that agents of Boko Haram recently dispatched snipers to the North East region of Nigeria – with a changed focus towards targeted killings and/or assassinations of persons considered prized targets.
According to the information received the snipers had received extensive training in East Africa – at an Al Quada affiliated training camp. Initially, intelligence reports available to Nigerian operatives suggested that about 1,000 trained snipers were dispatched Borno, Gombe, Yobe axis early this year [2012] to affect what was believed a broad sniper attack on Christians and members of the law enforcement community.
But the mode of attack by Boko Haram remained virtually the same – through suicide bombings and gun attack of police stations and worship centers – discounting the validity of the intelligence report on face value. This was until the leaders of the terrorist group made their intentions open via a video tape released on YouTube threatening to change focus of attack from mass killings to targeted killings of Nigeria’s elected officials and other top officials.
Recent attacks appear to show the terrorist group have made good on their threat. The suspicious assassination of the Nigerian Civilian War criminal, General Shuwa in Borno State recently opened the door to many like killings. In Kano, two federal road safety agents were gun down on broad daylight by agents of Boko Haram who rode on motorbikes. One of the attackers of the road safety agent [A native of Somalia] – was caught by the JTF – and upon interrogation – told the security agents that they attacked the road safety agents because their seized their motorbikes the previous day. One other person [road safety employee] was injured and the fourth escaped.
Two days following the attack [last week], another sniper-like attack hit Kano metropolis again – at Gidan Wappa near Singer – where many merchant engage in local bureau de change business. The attackers pounced on the market – shooting to death one of the leaders of the market – and then carting away monies estimated in the high millions of Naira along with foreign currencies.
On Saturday, November 17, 2012, the gunmen struck Kano State again. This time shooting and killing the state lawmaker representing Garko local government area – Hon. Ibrahim Abba Garko. He was trailed and shot in the head and chest by two unknown gunmen who rode on motorbike.
The latest attack in Kano has led to the refortification of security forces in the various flash points in Kano. The elected official and other government officials are said to have been briefed by the security agents on the risk-level in Kano. Some of the lawmakers have fled Kano for other safe havens.
Yesterday, [Sunday November 18, 2012], in Maiduguri, Borno State, the men of Boko Haram struck in a sniper-like attack and killed a retired Reverend by the name Ilaisha Kabura [Aged 70] of the COCIN Maiduguri, Borno State inside his Maiduguri residence. He was shot and killed as he exited his home to attend Sunday service. He was killed by two men who escaped on motorbike.
Our security source notes that the terrorist group is believed to be organizing a ‘big’ score in the Abuja federal capital territory– in the same manner it did in Kano State. The source – based on intelligence reports – suspects the Islamic group may have generated a death list of federal lawmakers, security agents and Judges – which they intend to target and eliminate. “But we are monitoring them now. They are not as invisible as before. We have some information on them to enable us stop or make things difficult for them”. What remain unsure are the criteria used by the group [Boko Haram] to place ones name on the death list, said the source who continued to add that it makes it difficult to know who they are after – at a given time.
The new dispatch by Boko Haram – of snipers – is believed to spread across the north eastern states of Nigeria – to include Abuja also. The Director of Kano State Security Service [SSS] declined to comment officially when contacted by 247ureports.com.
