In our recent interview from a right source, who is central to the initial peace talks with the sect, gave these rare insights in some notes made available to The Nation newspapers.
Saying that there are indications that the Boko Haram sect has about 60,000 fighters, including underage insurgents.
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The source explained why the war against Boko Haram is difficult and what the government can do to tackle the insurgency.
The source said: “Boko Haram has nearly 10,000 ideological army and over 50,000 conscripts, including 40 per cent underage. We are not even counting numerous sect members in Abuja, Kano, Bauchi and in different parts of Nigeria, West Africa and as far as Sudan.
“Most of them prefer to die in battle than to be back to their camps safely due to the endemic indoctrination within the cult group.
“This is the reason why I always say here and everywhere that this crisis is far from over. The only thing for now: Ya Allah protect us and unite us to defeat our enemies.”
The sect is also said to be operating active cells in Kogi, Lagos with many members in Abuja, Kano, Bauchi and in different parts of the country, West Africa and as far as Sudan.
The source decried the increasing insurgency in the North-East and the deteriorating humanitarian situation.
According to the source, “The crisis is far more serious than it is being reported. Last week, my father’s friend and former DSS colleague was slaughtered by Boko Haram in Hawul, his son drove to the scene to pick his father’s corpse and he was killed too.
“Yes, they are now in Hawul, few kilometres to Biu. My mum’s twin sister is missing in the past two days, she ran away from Boko Haram to the bush in Garkida. Many of my relatives have fled to the mountains, some barefooted. Nigeria is at war.
“There is indeed a silent humanitarian emergency in the North-East that is being shielded from the rest of the world.”
The highly-placed source asked all Nigerians to come together, irrespective of political leanings, to address the insurgency in the North-East.
The source added: “Gwoza, Sambisa and Mandara mountains are the vortex of Boko Haram insurgency. Until we take these areas, we have a lot more to do. Boko Haram has very active cells in different parts of the north including Lagos and Kogi.
“What is important in my opinion is for Nigerians (leaders and the led) to figure out what is responsible for the problem in the first place.
“The blame game started from Jonathan and everyone and political parties started pointing fingers at one another.
“When I spoke to the Commander-In-Chief in May/ June, I saw the level of his ignorance, I was alarmed. This ignorance is not only with the president alone, even our religious and traditional leaders in the north have continued to miss the live wire that feeds the insurgency.
“We have reached a stage where we can no longer manage this problem, not only because of an important leader like Jonathan but he inherited failed institutions.
“Today, Boko Haram and IS are in contact and people are even surprised when it was confirmed yesterday. But some of us said it repeatedly in the media. This is a problem that needs all Nigerians to be on board. I blame the National Assembly the most for not insisting on accountability from the military and the executive arm. Alas, they are equally not accountable to Nigerians.
“The people in the North-East do not care about the conspiracy theories we peddle here, they just want to survive another horrifying day.”
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