ISIS accepts allegiance of Nigeria jihadists Boko Haram

By on March 13, 2015

A spokesman for the ISIS terror group said Thursday that it had accepted a pledge of loyalty from Nigeria-based Boko Haram that was made last weekend.

ISIS’ media arm, al-Furqan, released an audio statement by spokesman Abu Mohammed al-Adnani that claimed the group’s self-proclaimed caliphate had expanded to West Africa. al Adnani had previously urged fighters from around the world to migrate and join Boko Haram.

The announcement came as both groups struggled against increased military pressure in recent days. ISIS is battling against Iraqi forces seeking to recapture Saddam Hussein’s hometown of Tikrit, while coming under fire from U.S.-led coalition air strikes in other parts of the country and in Syria.

Boko Haram, meanwhile, has been weakened by a multinational force that has dislodged it from a score of northeastern Nigerian towns. But its new Twitter account, increasingly slick and more frequent video messages and a new media arm all were considered signs that the group is now being helped by ISIS propagandists.

Then on Saturday, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Sheka posted an audio recording online that pledged allegiance to ISIS.

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