Lake Kainji National Park, located in northwest Nigeria, has become a refuge for jihadist fighters linked to Al-Qaeda, according to a recent report. These extremists, from the unstable African Sahel region, crossed the border from neighboring Benin to settle in this park, one of the largest in Nigeria. This migration of terrorist groups to wealthier coastal nations in West Africa raises serious concerns.
According to local sources, the park, which is home to a rapidly declining lion population, has now been closed for over a year due to constant security threats posed by armed groups attacking nearby villages and surrounding roads. Once a popular tourist spot, the park has now become a high-risk area where it is dangerous to venture.
The continued presence of these armed groups in the park constitutes an alarming signal, highlighting a possible connection between extremists supported by the Islamic State in their decade-long insurgency in northern Nigeria and Al-Qaeda-linked militants operating in the Sahel. This collaboration offers terrorists the opportunity to claim large-scale successes in these two countries already affected by deadly attacks.
The security situation in the region around Lake Kainji is worsening, exceeding the most pessimistic forecasts. These movements by terrorist groups reflect the weaknesses of local governments and raise concerns about the authorities’ ability to control the rise in violence and radicalism.
As the Sahel region has become a hotbed of violent extremism, the security crisis there comes at a time when military coups have toppled democratic governments. The new authorities, beset by violence, are increasingly turning to Russia for support, severing their traditional ties with France and the United States.
The presence of these armed groups in the park also raises conservation concerns. Threats to lions, already in decline due to climate change and poaching, are exacerbated by the presence of these jihadist fighters.
The real objective of these Sahel extremists in Lake Kainji Park remains unclear. Some experts believe they could seek to exploit this region for logistics activities, thereby helping to strengthen their influence and intensify illicit cross-border trade.
Ultimately, the presence of these armed groups in northwest Nigeria represents a major challenge to regional security. Authorities must act quickly and in a coordinated manner to counter this growing threat and protect local populations and the region’s valuable biodiversity.