Niger Youths Paid by Boko Haram for Killing People, Delivering Info

Niger Youths Paid by Boko Haram for Killing People, Delivering Info

Cameroon, Chad and Niger are concerned with the possibility of Nigeria's insurgency spilling over the borders into their lands. There is evidence that Boko Haram insurgents are recruiting new fighters in the neighbouring countries.

In Cameroon, Nigerian terrorist sect members operate in the Far North Region, where they are known as just another religious group. The recruiters freely preach to Cameroonian youths, promising money for joining.

There are similar ethnic communities in said Cameroon's region and northeastern Nigeria. Many people have relations on either side of the border, which makes undetected cross-border movement easy.

In Niger, situation is similar. On either side of Komadougou Yobe River, a natural border between the two countries, people have had strong connections since the ancient times. Over 50,000 Nigerians have now crossed into Niger, fleeing the relentless violence in their native country.

Nigerians also come to Niger by Lake Chad. About 500 persons cross into Niger on a weekly basis.

According to Niger authorities, they have managed to prevent a number of Boko Haram planned attacks and arrested dozens of suspected terrorists. Borders with Nigeria are constantly patrolled to prevent unwanted movement of terrorist recruiters.

Anything for money?

BBC's team of journalists have made contact with members of one Niger gang who claim they are collaborating with Boko Haram. They say Boko Haram militants regularly come across the border, looking for recruits.

All gang members barely above twenty years old. They say five members of their group have joined Nigerian insurgents; two have already been killed in various operations.

Generally, they would raid houses in search for cash, or beat people for money. They would steal animals to have something to eat. They take opiate drugs and smoke marijuana.

The young people have no jobs. While some of them are still at high school, they desperately need money. So violence has become their “profession”. They wield machetes, knuckle-dusters, traditional axes, firearms and grenades.

Boko Haram recruiters have paid them N500,000 (about $3,000) for joining and providing information on the situation in the region and security forces movement. The gang members say they are ready to detonate a bomb, because many deaths mean more money.

But the young people say it’s only money they are interested in, not defending Sharia law.

Source: Legit.ng

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