There are fresh fears that a branch of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terror group, Albarnawi faction, may have started recruiting more terrorists into its network in its bid to launch more deadly attacks on countries, particularly on Nigeria.

This came as the Boko Haram insurgents earlier on Thursday abducted 60 firewood sellers at Bulakesa village, 25 kilometres from Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State.

Sunday Tribune gathered from sources in the Intelligence circles that members of the deadly Albarnawi faction might have participated in the recent slaughter of about 100 Nigerian soldiers by the Boko Haram sect.

Ahmad Sakilda, a journalist reputed to have access to information on the activities of Boko Haram, confirmed ISWAP recruitment of more members, warning that the body would become the most dangerous terror group if it sustains the current level of membership drive.

In his Twitter handle, he said: “If the current trend of recruitments and attacks continues, ISWAP looks set to be the most lethal branch of IS in the world.

“The pace of recruitment today is almost similar to 2013/14. Today, there is a competition to join Jihadi herd between Nigerians and Francophone youths.

“On the infographic, second is Iraq, third is Sham, fourth is Khorasan, fifth, East Asia, sixth is Sinai. The rating varies, depending on the attacks in the week.

“But it is now clear that ISWAP has a growing strategic partnership beyond media collaboration with ISIS. Are we still in doubt?” he asked rhetorically.

•Excerpted from a Tribune report