US says ISIS defections in Nigeria have risen by over 200% since May
The commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Dagvin Anderson, says the number of Islamic State (ISIS) members defecting in Nigeria has increased by more than 200 per cent since a joint military operation by Nigerian and US forces in May.
According to THISDAY, Anderson disclosed this on Monday on the sidelines of the Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) in Lagos, attributing the increase to the operation against a senior ISIS figure and subsequent military operations by Nigerian forces.
He said the US continued to cooperate with Nigerian security forces by providing intelligence, specialised capabilities and training, adding that the partnership helped eliminate a senior ISIS leader.
Anderson said Nigeria’s regional and local knowledge, combined with the US understanding of global terrorist networks, had strengthened their joint efforts against terrorism. “The partnership with the Nigerian Armed Forces and Nigerian intelligence was exceptional, and that’s what really enabled that partnership to happen and to take out the number two terrorist in the world for ISIS,” he said.
He, however, stressed that military assistance alone could not resolve Nigeria’s security challenges, including terrorism and kidnapping, noting that investment in governance and development was also necessary.
On the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Anderson said the US was seeking to reopen dialogue with the three countries to strengthen security cooperation. He also identified terrorist financing, piracy, smuggling, drug trafficking and illegal fishing as major security concerns.
Anderson said increased ISIS defections, alongside reductions in attacks and violence, indicated progress. He also commended Nigeria’s programme to reintegrate defectors into society, stressing the need to channel the energy of the growing youth population towards positive activities.
In May, Nigerian and US forces conducted military operations in northeastern Nigeria that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the second-in-command of ISIS globally. AFRICOM announced in June that it had withdrawn most of its troops deployed for the operation but would continue providing intelligence support to Nigeria.
