‘Lagos is a tempting target for sect, ISIS,’ Security expert says

Ekhomu also urged the Federal Government to take the appointment of a new Boko Haram leader by the Islamic State (ISIS) seriously.

He made the call via a statement issued on Thursday, August 4, 2016, adding that the FG should respond to the development by placing the nation’s security agencies on high alert.

“If ISIS gets to appoint senior leadership for Boko Haram then they are probably running the Nigerian terror group as a local franchise. Strategic decisions such as leadership appointments are made by the spiritual leader of a terrorist group. In other words, the appointment of Al-Barnawi might have been made by ISIS leader Sheik Abu Bakr El-Baghdadi himself,” he said.

“As a mega city, Lagos presented a tempting target for BH/ISIS and the state should be target-hardened in order to prevent any surprise attack,” he added.

Abu Musab Al-Barnawi was appointed by ISIS to replace Abubakar Shekau on Wednesday, August 3.

Shekau is said to have been removed for opposing attempts by ISIS to train his soldiers among other things.

ALSO READ: I was deceived - Shekau

He however denied the allegations made against him via an audio message released in response to ISIS’ announcement.

Meanwhile, Al-Barnawi has threatened to kill Christians and bomb churches in Nigeria while promising that here would be no attacks on Muslims and mosques under his rule.