Observers of Boko Haram, which has inflicted years of terror on northern Nigeria, note that its actions in the last six months have frequently mimicked those of ISISfrom punishments such as stoning and beheading of its victims to taking territory and an increasingly sophisticated use of social media that’s very much in the ISIS “style.”
The latest sign that Boko Haram is wooing ISIS came on Sunday with a series of tweets released by jihadist site Afriqiyah Media, which declared its own allegiance to ISIS in December. One tweet quoted Boko Haram’s own media arm as saying: “We give you glad tidings that the group’s Shurah Council is at the stage of consulting and studying, and we will let you know soon the group’s decision in respect to pledging allegiance to the Caliph of the Muslims Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, may Allah preserve him,” according to a translation by SITE Intelligence.
The message was purportedly posted on February 9.
It’s an unusual if unverifiable commentary on Boko Haram’s internal processes. Jacob Zenn, who follows Boko Haram’s operations and propaganda closely, says “it is possible that due to factions within Boko Haram the shura was unable to come to an agreement at this point.”
“Despite this,” Zenn told CNN, “it’s clear Boko Haram is leaning toward ISIS in terms of doctrine, ideology and an emphasis on holding territory after operations.”
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Shekau has castigated (as has ISIS) the colonial-era borders separating Muslims, saying once: “We don’t know Cameroon or Chad… I don’t have a country.” And earlier this month he declared in another video: “O people of Cameroon! O people of Chad! Repent to Allah the Almighty. Know that one cannot be a Muslim but by disavowing democracy.”
Once seen as an exclusively Nigerian movement, Boko Haram’s horizons are broadening to the north and east, prompting closer military co-operation by the governments of Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon, whose latest offensive appears to be putting Boko Haram on the defensive in some parts of the border region.
When and whether there will be a formal alliance between Boko Haram and ISIS is still very much open to debate — but at the very least the Nigerian group’s shifting priorities, behavior and presentation is another sign of ISIS’ far-reaching influence among jihadist groups.
What is Boko Haram?
