Boko Haram - Islamic State In West Africa namechange: 'Public perception move' - Opperman by Radio Sputnik

Jasmine Opperman, Director of African Operations at the Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium.
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The Islamic State has spread its influence and now operates in Africa after Boko Haram militant group has renamed itself in "Islamic State in West Africa".

Initially Boko Haram had ties with Al-Qaeda, but in 2014 expressed its support to ISIL and pledged formal allegiance in March of 2015.

On Monday suspected militants attacked an army base in Niger, leaving many soldiers dead. Authorities have not released the exact death toll, but said the army had sustained heavy losses. This was the second attempt to capture the town since February by the terrorists, army sources said. They added that the counter operation is now under way.

Experts say the strengthening of ties with ISIL could have a significant impact on the military progress of Boko Haram. The militant group which opposes westernization has been terrorizing Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger since its formation in 2002. The United Nations Children Fund said that 800,000 children have been displaced by Boko Haram violence, nearly half the 1.5 million people uprooted by the militants’ campaign. In 2014 Boko Haram made international headlines after militants kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls in Borno State.