1、CRS InsightsNigerias Boko Haram and the Islamic StateLauren Ploch Blanchard, Specialist in African Affairs (lplochcrs.loc.gov, 7-7640)Christopher M. Blanchard, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs (cblanchardcrs.loc.gov, 7-0428)March 13, 2015 (IN10242)On March 7, 2015, Abubakar Shekau, leader of the
2、 Nigerian Islamist insurgent group Boko Haram,released a statement pledging loyalty to the leader of the Syria/Iraq-based Islamic State (IS/ISIL)organization, Abu Bakr al Baghdadi. IS spokesman Abu Mohammed al Adnani welcomed the pledge onMarch 12, urging followers to travel to West Africa and suppo
3、rt Boko Haram. Shekau had previouslyvoiced support for both Al Baghdadi and Al Qaedas leader Ayman al Zawahiri, but had not formallypledged allegiance to either. In recent months, some analysts suggested that the Nigerian groupsincreasingly sophisticated use of video and social media, and its taking
4、 of territory, might reflectinfluence or inspiration from the self-styled Islamic State. In February, a jihadi media group hinted onTwitter that Boko Haram was considering such a pledge. Shekaus message raises a series of questionsabout its implications. Open source reporting does not currently poin
