Several assault and abductions perpetrated by insurgent sects across the West Africa Lake Chad region and the mostly desert Sahel region show that insurgents still have the capacity to stage major attacks on security posts and communities within the region. The Nigerian Government, have implemented in Nigeria for the first time (second time in Africa) an open trial for suspected captured insurgent members. Results: 205 convicted members, with charges related to their involvement in the sect activities,[1] and 475 being discharged for proper rehabilitation for lack of evidence in prosecuting them.[2]
During this period, the European Union has revealed plan for doubling and raising funds for troubled West African, Sahel region countries. These are aimed at funding joint military task forces spear-headed by the French Military and United Nation counterpart from Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad.[1]
TRENDS AND PATTERNS OF COUNTER TERRORISM
The patterns of attacks by the insurgents at the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel region all point to being originated form insurgent extremist based in Nigeria and Mali. These have subsequently spilt over to neighbouring countries like Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Burkina-Faso.
Read full report in PDF Here ECOWAS CTS FACTSHEET FEB 2018