U.S. concerned about Boko Haram's cooperation with ISIL

The United States has raised concerns of increased cooperation between Islamist militant groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State in Libya.

According to intelligence gathered by the US, there are indications that the Islamist group has been sending fighters to join the Islamic State.

This revelation comes as the country hosts a vital summit aimed at curbing the threat of the insurgent group.

“What we’ve seen are reports of more cooperation between them, what we’ve seen is Boko Haram itself being more sophisticated in its messaging, or propaganda if you prefer, and that bears the hallmarks of Daesh which is unfortunately very sophisticated in doing that, and also reports of Boko Haram fighters in Libya with Daesh fighters,” said US Deputy Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken.

Boko Haram had pledged its allegiance to Islamic State last year. The militant group has carried out a spate of suicide bombings in Nigeria and its neighbouring countries.The terrorist group is seeking to establish an Islamic state in Africa’s largest economy.

According to reports, the insurgency group has claimed thousands of lives since 2009 and displaced about 2 million people.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council has condemned Boko Haram terrorist attacks in Lake Chad Basin. The 15 member body has demanded that the group halt its violence and all abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law.

“The Security Council expresses deep concern that the activities of Boko Haram continue to undermine the peace and stability of the West and Central African region.  The Security Council expresses alarm at Boko Haram’s linkages with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Da’esh),” read a statement by the council.