TheCable

Mike Omeri, the coordinator of the national information centre (NIC) and director-general of the national orientation agency, has raised the alarm over the presence of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’s (ISIS) scouts in the country.

According to Omeri, the ISIS scouts are looking for fighters in the country to fill up their diminishing ranks.

He made the revelation based on intelligence reports that the group was moving into Africa to recruit fighters and had already recruited three South Africans.

“Nigerians are known the world over to be selfless, hospitable and humanitarian. We believe in the brotherhood of all mankind and no one should be allowed to take advantage of these virtues or turn them into vices,” he said in a statement released by David Akoji, his special adviser on media.

“Nigerians are therefore advised to report to security agencies without hesitation, any group or non-governmental agency whose overt or covert activities are suspicious or have tendencies to jeopardise the innocence of our youths and the security of our people wherever they are in the world.

“Government is leaving no room to chance in the fight against terror and the protection of lives and property,” he said, while urging Nigerians to maintain their confidence in government’s security efforts, show greater cooperation with security agencies and ensure stricter compliance with security tips which are currently running on print and electronic media platforms.”

Omeri’s statement would reignite fears that local sect, Boko Haram, could be building links with ISIS.

In a July 2014 video, Abubakar Shekau voiced support for the Sunni militant group, which has taken over large swathes of Iraq and Syria, describing ISIS chief, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi; Al-Qaeda head, Ayman al-Zawahiri; and Taliban leader, Mullah Omar. as “my brethren” and Praying for Allah’s protection for them.