Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi Biladis Sudan, which roughly translates as Vanguards for the Aid of Muslims in Black Africa, is a growing terrorist group which has claimed responsibility for various acts of terrorism. Its first major attack was on the Special Anti-robbery Squad detention centre in Abuja on November 26, 2012.
JAMBS, is believed to be a splinter group from Boko Haram. Former Boko Haram commanders, who were disenchanted with the leadership style of the extremist group’s spiritual leader, Mohammed Shekau, were said to have created JAMBS.
The new sect, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb, had claimed responsibility for the kidnap of a French engineer, Francis Colump, in Katsina, citing France’s push for military intervention in Mali as justification.
On January 19, 2013, Nigerian soldiers, on their way to Mali as part of African peacekeeping mission, were ambushed by JAMBS members, who threw Improvised Explosive Devices at their convoy along Okene-Lokoja Road. Two soldiers were killed, while many others were injured during the gunfight that ensued.
A man, Abu Usamatal Ansary, who said he was the leader of JAMBS, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement.
The statement read in part, “We are warning African countries to stop helping Western countries in fighting against Islam and Muslims; if not, we are sternly assuring them, particularly the Nigerian government to be prepared and be ready to face difficulties from JAMBS anywhere and anytime. May Allah help us and grant our wishes.”
Despite the attacks from the group, the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Bola Koleosho, had said the military would nip their activities in the bud.
“Anybody can call itself any name, the only thing I know is that the military is ready for them,” he said.
Also, the Director of Defence Information, Col. Mohammed Yerima, said the military did not need to make any special arrangement for the new group. “It is the arrangement we are making for Boko Haram that we are making for them,” he said.