Boko Haram has 4,000-6,000 hardcore terrorists: US officials
Boko Haram terrorist group, which has staged violent assaults in Nigeria and its neighboring countries, has about 4,000-6,000 “hardcore” members, a group of US intelligence officials say.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the officials said on Friday that the group does not pose a major threat to Nigeria’s oilfields in the south.
They also added that the terrorists are estimated to be still holding over 200 schoolgirls they abducted last year and dispersed to various locations.
The Nigerian army has been unsuccessful in fighting the militants; however, military forces in neighboring Cameroon, Chad and Niger have recently been taking an active role in confronting the group, the US officials noted.
“It remains to be seen how much tactical prowess (Boko Haram terrorists) have” in combating regular military forces, one official said.
Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is forbidden,” controls large parts of northeastern Nigeria and says its goal is to overthrow the Nigerian government.
It has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly shooting attacks and bombings in various parts of Nigeria since the beginning of its militancy in 2009, which have left over 13,000 people dead and 1.5 million displaced.
Boko Haram, which is considered the biggest security threat in Nigeria, Africa’s top oil producer and biggest economy, has also conducted attacks in the neighboring countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger.
