Boko Haram expands caliphate, takes over eight LGA

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As many as eight local governments are in the grip of Boko Haram. The local governments are spread across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States and are been administered by Boko Haram forces who now say they have made the areas a caliphate.

A caliphate is an Islamic state led by a Muslim supreme religious and political leader known as a caliph – that is, "successor" to Islam Holy Prophet, Muhammad.

The last caliphate in modern history, the Ottoman Empire, after nearly 700 years of existence, got abolished on October 29, 1923 after its disastrous alliance with Germany in World War 1. It was later replaced with the secular Republic of Turkey.

But on June 30, Jihadist militant with the name, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), carved the region of Iraq and Syria as a caliphate and renamed the territories under its influence, the Islamic State (IS). It thereafter declared its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, as caliph and "leader for Muslims everywhere".

Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau had in a video in July, paid homage to al-Baghdadi and said he was the true leader of the Ummah (Islamic faithful).

Like ISIS, Boko Haram has become highly ambitious and longed to conquer territories. In addition to the Sambisa forest which has been in its control since the insurgency started in 2011, the group has made significant encrachments into Nigeria’s territories.

On August 24, the militants issued a video proclaiming the establishment of an Islamic state in Gwoza, a local government in Borno state. But sources in Borno said Boko Haram has since expanded its catch in the state to include Gomboru Ngala, Marte local governments. In yobe State, the terrorists are believed to be in control of Gujba and Buni Yadi local governments. While in Adamawa, the terrorist control Mdagali local government.

 


Source: Eberechi Obinagwam

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