The Department of Security Service (DSS) says it has busted ISIS training Cells in Kano and arrested five persons allegedly on their way to Libya and other Africa States.
According to the State Director of DSS, Abdullahi Bello Chiranchi, the arrest was a significant breakthrough at frustrating move by terrorist blocking from making Kano a training ground for the group.
He added that those arrested were indigenes of Kogi State moving to Libya, Morocco and other places that might have traces of ISIS fighters.
Meanwhile, U.S. officials have declared there is no evidence that Boko Haram has received significant operational support or financing from Islamic State.
NAN reports that an official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in Washington, said more than a year after the group’s pledge of allegiance, it has no link with IS.
The official suggested that Boko Haram’s loyalty pledge had so far mostly been a branding exercise designed to boost its international jihadi credentials, attract recruits and appeal to the IS leadership for assistance.
“If there is no meaningful connection between ISIL and Boko Haram and we haven’t found one so far, then there are no grounds for U.S. military involvement in West Africa other than assistance and training,” he said.
Another senior U.S. official said: “multiple reports indicated that there are no evidence that Islamic State leaders, based in Syria and Iraq, have transferred significant amounts of cash or weapons or sent high-level representatives to Nigeria.”
The official said the absence of such evidence came as the administration of President Barack Obama debates how Washington and its allies could best support Nigeria and its neighbours.
He added that the Obama administration was poised to approve the sale of 12 attack aircraft to Nigeria to assist the country in the fight against the insurgents.
